Tiffany Geometric Lamp, ca. 1900

Appraised on: July 28, 2007

Appraised in: Louisville, Kentucky

Appraised by: Kathleen Bailey

Category: Glass

Episode Info: Louisville, Hour 1 (#1213)

Originally Aired: April 21, 2008

IMAGE: 1 of 1  

Appraisal Video: (1:57)

GUEST: My father bought this at a farm auction and he paid one dollar for the... the lamp, complete, you know-- one dollar.

APPRAISER: One dollar?

GUEST: One dollar. The only thing I know is that it is a Tiffany, you know. Other than that, I know nothing else about it. I've never had it appraised or anything else like that.

APPRAISER: You say it is a Tiffany and you're saying that because underneath this font is a Tiffany mark.

GUEST: Right, right. That's right. And then around the rim of the shade is another Tiffany mark.

GUEST: That's correct, that's correct.

APPRAISER: So we make the presumption that it is Tiffany.

GUEST: Right, right.

APPRAISER: Well, you're very lucky. This is Tiffany

GUEST: Cool.

APPRAISER: And the date of this lamp would be 1900 to 1905. It's a geometric pattern, with acorns. The base is urn-shaped, with a reeded leg and a quatrefoil base. The bronze finish on the lamp is a little bit dull. The shade isn't as bright as we'd like to see it, but it could be that it's just dusty.

GUEST: I think so, I think so.

APPRAISER: I think so. So... this one dollar-- did your dad just tell you that?

GUEST: He told me that, yes, yes. And he offered it to two of my sisters that turned it down. And they turned it down.

APPRAISER: Right. Well, I wonder what they would say today if they knew that this lamp was $10,000 to $15,000 at auction.

GUEST: Wow! Whoa. I...

APPRAISER: What would they say?

GUEST: Well, uh, uh... They'd most probably ask for a cut of the... if I ever sold it.

APPRAISER: I think they would.

GUEST: Well, that's-that's simply great. You know, absolutely great.

APPRAISER: I just thank you so much for bringing it. It was a thrill.

GUEST: Well, I appreciate it. And all I can say is, my father always told me, he says, "You win some, you lose some."

APPRAISER: Well, you won today.

GUEST: We won one today, Dad.

APPRAISER: Congratulations.

GUEST: Well, thank you-- thank you very much.