Posted by Rudy Veraar
on December 29, 2025
Cypriote glass is a technical masterpiece that illustrates Louis Comfort Tiffany’s artistic fascination with the beauty of decay and imperfection in nature. Rather than creating perfectly smooth glass, Tiffany mimicked the effects that occur when antique glass has been buried for centuries. The resulting aesthetic is that of a rough and earthy texture.
Origins and Inspiration: Antiquity and Archaeology
The name "Cypriote" refers to Cyprus, a site where much antique Roman and Syrian glassware was found, which Tiffany admired during his travels in Europe. He wanted to replicate the iridescent effects of excavated archaeological finds, thereby combining historical weathering with the modern luster of Favrile.
The Production Process: Physical Manipulation
This effect was achieved through a meticulous production process in the furnaces in Corona, Queens. Tiffany's craftsmen likely achieved the irregular, pitted surface by rolling the hot, molten glass gather in fine, crushed glass fragments (or other heat-resistant material) that subsequently melted into the surface or left an impression. This ensured that the authentic Favrile quality lay not only in color intensity, but also in the control of surface texture.
Favrile glass, patented in 1894, was characterized by iridescent hues created in the glass by mixing metal oxides. Cypriote glassware, such as vases and decorative objects, combined this luster with the rough texture. Examples of Cypriote pieces are documented between circa 1907 and 1915.
