Tiffany Studios (American, founded 1878)
Passionflower, Iris, and Mock Orange Stained Glass Window
Favrile glass and lead, c. 1892
Lancets each approx. 85 × 18 in. Roundel approx. 18 in. diameter
This exquisite window exemplifies Tiffany Studios’ mastery of color, texture, and light. A glowing sunset stretches across the horizon, framed by delicate vines of passionflower, clusters of mock orange blossoms, and tall iris in bloom. Layers of opalescent Favrile glass create shimmering depth and movement, embodying the natural beauty central to Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Art Nouveau vision.
Tiffany Studios, founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany, pioneered innovations in stained glass, introducing opalescent glass that allowed for varied color and texture without paint. Their windows transformed American ecclesiastical and domestic interiors, merging spiritual reflection with nature’s richness.
Originally commissioned for St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Meriden, Connecticut, this window reflects Tiffany’s role in memorial art of the late 19th century—celebrating beauty, contemplation, and craftsmanship. Today, Tiffany’s stained glass is celebrated worldwide as a pinnacle of American decorative art.
