Tiffany Swag Lamp

Vanessa Weber Interior Design Expert

Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.

Updated 01/05/2021

All of us use lamps a lot. Those that you can admire down here, are not only functional but artistic, too. Their colours, shapes and designs can impress even those uninterested in art, so feel free to browse through these photos and pick the model that you find most appropriate for your house.

Buying Guide

Swag lamps were popular in the 70s but are making a comeback. Without hardwiring a ceiling, swag lamps often have a wire with a plug in that lets you place extra ambient lighting wherever needed.

A Tiffany swag lamp adds color and style with an artistic flair for many decors. For a special focal point in your living area, consider hanging a Tiffany swag lamp.

What are Tiffany swag lamps crafted from?

Tiffany lamps were originally made with lead, brass or copper. Copper foil has replaced these came strips and has made the manufacture of Tiffany designs much easier and less expensive. Bits of colored cut glass are placed in a pattern and the copper foil is soldered and cemented into place. Artistic designs with colorful pieces of glass create beautiful crafted swag lamps.

Chains that are brass, gold or silver, or painted to a dark matte finish, hold a Tiffany swag lamp. Made of solid metal, they are designed to withstand the weight of the lamp. The plug-in wire is woven throughout the chain for safety and to keep them hidden.

What decorating styles can accommodate a Tiffany swag lamp?

These hanging lamps do not have to be limited to certain types of decor.

Contemporary/Country/Rustic - Colors dominate some designs, such as a Tiffany Ruby Flora that features a ruby flora pattern. Hanging elegantly over a dining room table, the colors and simple scene can bring a touch of color to contemporary decor. A more robust Tiffany swag lamp may offer all colors of the rainbow with an interesting theme blended within. Birds, elk, apples, geometric designs and more may lace around the widest part of the shade. These are lovely in kitchens, game rooms or family rooms where tables are used.
Traditional - Hexagon shaped Tiffany swag lamps with aged bronze and simple coloring can accent an entryway or den in traditional settings. Royal colors, like gold and blue, and accented by aged cream-colored strips, deliver sophistication over a bar or used above a table used for chess.
Mission - A straight Mission-style living room, outfitted in walnut, will gain sophistication with a medium-sized Tiffany swag lamp. Made up of brown, green and cream colored glass, a slim wheat grass design fits well with Mission style. Choose a four-cornered design and hang beside a bookcase or desk to deliver a graceful look.
Modern/Minimalism/Transitional - Modern decors can benefit from a Tiffany swag lamp by selecting a model with rich geometric shapes and alternating colors. Different sized squares and rectangles that are filled with shades of gray, blue, brown and off-white pieces of glass add distinction to a minimalist or modern designed room.

What are the most common shapes and sizes of Tiffany swag lamps?

Different sizes have become available to fit any space. From a large 21 inch Tiffany swag lamp to a mini 5-inch four-sided model, there is a wide selection of styles, colors, and sizes to chose from. Round, barrel-shaped, four-sided, hexagon, rectangular or inverted are the shapes that you will find in today's Tiffany swag lamps.