My Tiffany Lamp

Stain glass gifts are among the best presents to give and receive.  It’s traditional sensibility and unique look makes it a cornerstone in art.  But how did stained glass come about initially?

Colored glass has been produced since ancient times.  Both the Egyptians and the Romans excelled at creating small colored glass objects.  In the Early Christian churches of the 4th and 5th centuries, there are many remaining windows which are filled with ornate patterns of thinly-sliced alabaster set into wooden frames, giving a stained-glass like effect. Similar effects were achieved with greater elaboration using colored glass rather than stone by Muslim architects in Southwest Asia.

In the 8th century, the Arab chemist Jabir ibn Hayyan (Geber) scientifically described 46 original recipes for producing colored glass in Kitab al-Durra al-Maknuna (The Book of the Hidden Pearl), in addition to which 12 recipes were inserted by al-Marrakishi in a later edition of the book. Jabir also described the production of high quality colored glass cut into artificial gemstones.

If you’re looking for inspiration or some sophistication to add to your home, you can’t go wrong with Tiffany lamps. 

Tiffany lamps are lamps with a stained glass shield.  Though they’re largely attributed to the Art Nouveau movement, they can really find a home anywhere.  They make very excellent decorative pieces, as well as having a practical use.  If you have an empty spot on that bedside table of yours, I bet a Tiffany lamp would look especially great there.