An Art Nouveau lamp is a light designed in the spirit of the Art Nouveau movement, which flourished in Europe and America around 1890 to 1910. Its lamps borrow from nature: flowers, leaves, shells and insects, long curving lines and glass that glows with colour. Leaded stained glass shades, made famous by Louis Comfort Tiffany's studio, are the best-known example, which is why "Art Nouveau lamp" and "Tiffany-style lamp" are often searched together. This guide explains how to recognise the style, how it differs from Art Deco and Mission, and gives the real dimensions of our Art Nouveau-inspired lamps and sconces.
How to recognise an Art Nouveau lamp
- Motifs from nature: blossoms, petals, leaves, shells, dragonflies, flowing stems.
- Curved, organic lines rather than straight edges and symmetry.
- Glass as the light source: leaded stained glass, moulded glass or frosted glass that turns luminous when lit.
- Bronze or brass-tone metal, often with a dark, aged finish.
- A soft, coloured glow: these are mood lights, not task lights.
Our lamps are Art Nouveau-inspired and Tiffany-style designs. They are not antiques and are not made by Tiffany Studios. To tell the difference, read how to tell if a Tiffany lamp is real.
Art Nouveau, Art Deco or Mission?
| Style | Period | Shapes | Typical lamp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Art Nouveau | About 1890–1910 | Curves, flowers, insects, shells | Floral stained glass shade, shell or flower glass sconce |
| Art Deco | About 1920s–1930s | Geometry, stepped forms, sunbursts, chrome | Frosted glass globe on a chrome or black base |
| Mission (Arts & Crafts) | About 1900s–1910s | Straight lines, square panels | Amber glass in rectangular panels, wide conical shade |
In practice the three often sit side by side in a vintage room. Our Tiffany Mission Style Table Lamp is a good example of the straighter, geometric Mission look, next to the floral and curved Art Nouveau pieces below.
Our Art Nouveau-inspired lamps: real sizes
All dimensions below come from our product pages.
| Model | Type | Size | Materials | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Stained Glass Tiffany Lamp | Table lamp | H 36.5 cm; shade Ø 20 cm; base Ø 11.5 cm | Hand-cut stained glass shade, resin stand, aged bronze finish | Cord 155 cm with in-line switch; EU, UK, AU or US plug |
| Baroque Stained Glass Table Lamp | Table lamp | H 36.5 cm; shade Ø 20 cm; base Ø 11.5 cm | Hand-cut stained glass, resin base, aged bronze finish | Scalloped shade in light yellow or blue; E27 socket |
| Tiffany Gypsophila Bedside Lamp | Table lamp | H 38 cm; shade Ø 20 cm | Glass shade, metal base | Cream glass, dark lead lines, clear crystals |
| Tiffany Cat Table Lamp | Table lamp | H 36.5 cm; shade Ø 20 cm; base 11.5 cm | Stained glass shade, resin base | Three cat designs; not dimmable |
| Vintage Shell Glass Sconce | Wall sconce | W 28 × H 24 cm; projection 13 cm | Moulded glass shell, metal mount | Upward glow; olive green, smoky amber or opal cream; E14 |
| Vintage Brass Flower Wall Sconce | Wall sconce | H 25 cm; projection 25 cm; back plate 13 cm | Copper with antique brass finish, glass | Amber frosted flower, clear ribbed tulip or white frosted flower |
Where to put an Art Nouveau lamp: a quick sizing guide
Our stained glass table lamps are compact: 36.5 to 38 cm tall with a 20 cm shade. That makes them well suited to a bedside table, a desk corner, a windowsill or a shelf. A simple check before you buy:
| Surface height | + lamp (36.5 cm) | Top of the lamp from the floor |
|---|---|---|
| Bedside table 50 cm | 36.5 cm | 86.5 cm |
| Bedside table 60 cm | 36.5 cm | 96.5 cm |
| Console or sideboard 80 cm | 36.5 cm | 116.5 cm |
The 20 cm shade needs a surface at least that wide, plus room for a glass of water or a book. On a wide sideboard or console, two lamps of the same model either side of a mirror give a balanced, symmetrical look. For more on bedside heights, see how high to hang bedside sconces.
Building an Art Nouveau corner
- Bedroom: the Gypsophila or Blue Tiffany lamp on the nightstand, a Vintage Brass Flower sconce above.
- Hallway or landing: a pair of Vintage Shell Glass sconces, sending light up the wall.
- Reading corner: a stained glass lamp for mood, with a separate reading light for the page.
Stained glass filters and colours the light, so these lamps are best used as accent lights. A warm white bulb keeps the glass colours rich; see warm white vs cool white. For more floral designs, see our flower lamps guide and glass wall sconces guide.
For draped fabric, fringes and other French-inspired designs, see our French Classic Lighting collection.
The style that came just before is covered in our guide to Victorian lamps: fringed shades, frosted glass tulips and brass, with real sizes.
Choosing by shape or by motif? Our guide to Tiffany lamp shade shapes compares cone, pyramid, panel, bell and dome shades with their real sizes, and peacock and bird Tiffany lamps gathers the peacock, hummingbird, butterfly and horse designs.
Frequently asked questions
What is an Art Nouveau lamp?
A lamp in the style of the Art Nouveau movement (about 1890–1910), with nature motifs, curved lines and glowing glass. Leaded stained glass shades are the best-known type.
Is a Tiffany lamp Art Nouveau?
Tiffany Studios lamps are closely associated with Art Nouveau. Our lamps are Tiffany-style designs inspired by that look, not Tiffany Studios pieces.
How big are your Art Nouveau-style table lamps?
36.5 to 38 cm tall with a 20 cm shade. The Tiffany Mission Style lamp is wider, with a 28 cm shade.
See all our designs in the stained glass lamps collection, and read our Tiffany lamp guide for more on the style.
