Tiffany Authentication, Authentic Art Glass

  David P. Donaldson, MFA

Authenticates works by Tiffany Studios and other fine period artisans, including lamps, windows, and art glass.  Authentication may be done in conjunction with purchases from traditional or online sources.  Providing professional

assurance that possessions and purchases are antique and original.

Turtleback Band Shade on a Turtleback base.

Is this shade original Tiffany, and is the base authentic and unaltered?

David P. Donaldson, MFA is dedicated to advising collectors on the purchase of    authentic Tiffany Favrile works of art produced by Louis C. Tiffany and the    Tiffany Studios. During the past 29 years I have worked for the Corning Museum of Glass, and the Morse Museum of American Art in Orlando - home to one of the world's premiere collections of Tiffany Glass, including many pieces from Tiffany's personal collection and home - as both curator and conservator. During my museum career of 23.5 years, I have observed numerous occassions where individuals have been led to believe that what they were buying was an authentic original Tiffany, only to later discover that they had purchased an altered piece or a fake. Having a "antique Tiffany" piece independently authenticated during the purchasing process provides reassurance, and may save a great deal of disappointment and financial loss. To this end, and for the past 27 years, I have advised serious collectors as to the authenticity of fine Favrile objects by the Tiffany Studios, as well as other fine antique art glass, lamps, windows and decorative items by makers including Steuben, Quezal, and Durand.

A fee schedule for authentication services is available upon request.

I highly recommend insisting on right of inspection and return for purchases, and having a proper authentication performed, as there is currently a high percentage of flawed and faked pieces in the market place, especially in online sales. Engaging someone with substantial expertise in the area of your purchase will provide assurance to both the buyer and the seller that the piece has been correctly identified and valued.

I may be contacted by email  (                        )  , but before e-mailing , Please Note :

It is not possible to provide any information about pieces via e-mail, other than      to furnish the fee for an authentication and the address to which the piece will        have to be shipped for examination. Arrangements may also be made in          advance for pieces you are planning to purchase, and wish to have evaluated immediately to ensure their authenticity. Special arrangements for evaluation can be made for large and exceptional items. Authentication can include an estimate of value based upon past auction prices, but that does not constitute a formal appraisal for tax or other legal and financial purposes.

Blue Jack-in-the-Pulpit vase.

I have seen several pieces nearly identical to this, some authentic

Tiffany and others not; is this one an antique, or is it a modern day reproduction?

Areas of Expertise and Consultation in Art

Glass and Decorative Arts circa 1895 - 1930:

  Louis C. Tiffany - wares produced by him and under his direction

  at companies including Tiffany Studios, Tiffany Furnaces, Tiffany Glass

  & Decorating Company: Blown glass items of all descriptions, stained

  glass and blown glass lampshades, bronze or bronze and glass lamp bases,

  stained glass windows, various functional and decorative items in bronze

  often in combination with glass and enamel, pottery, and a wide variety

  of other items. Tiffany & Co. Jewelers was founded by L. C. Tiffany's

  father, and their wares including clocks and bronze items are outside Atlantis'

  area, with the exception of a few items that involved collaboration with

  L. C. Tiffany and Tiffany Studios.

  Quezal - art glass works founded by former Tiffany Furnaces employees:

  Blown glass items, principally vases and lamp shades, the latter often

  mounted in bronze work by Handel and other manufacturers.

  Steuben - art glass works under the direction of Frederick Carder:

  Blown glass items, principally vases and lamp shades, the latter often

  mounted in bronze work by Handel and other manufacturers. (Steuben clear

  crystal, produced up to the present day, is not included)

  Durand - art glass shop at Victor Durand's Vineland Flint Glass

  Works, staffed by former Quezal craftstmen: Blown glass items, including

  vases and lamp shades, also glass lamp bases mounted in bronze.