The shape of a Tiffany lamp shade decides two things: how the lamp looks from across the room, and where its light goes. A rounded dome spreads a soft glow all around, while a cone or a pyramid narrows towards the top and sends more light down onto the table. This guide compares the five shapes we sell (cone, pyramid, panel, bell and dome), with the real shade sizes and heights taken from our product pages, so you can choose a shape before you choose a colour.
All the lamps below are Tiffany-style lamps: new lamps with shades made of cut pieces of coloured glass joined by dark seams. They are not Tiffany Studios pieces. If you want the background first, read our guide to Tiffany lamps.
The five Tiffany shade shapes
- Cone: a shade with straight sides that widens from a narrow top to a wider rim. Ours are six-sided or round cones.
- Pyramid: a four-sided shade with flat glass faces meeting at the top. The flat faces show a pattern clearly, like small windows.
- Panel: a flared shade built from six or eight flat panels, often with cabochons (rounded glass jewels) set into the glass.
- Bell: a shade with curved sides that flare out at the rim, like a bell or a tulip.
- Dome: the classic rounded Tiffany shape, the most common for floral and peacock designs.
Real sizes, shape by shape
Every size below comes from the product page of a lamp that is in stock. The shade diameter is measured at the widest point of the rim.
| Lamp | Shade shape | Shade Ø | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Grape Cone | Six-sided cone | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Pink Fringe Cone | Six-sided cone, bead fringe | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Clear Geometric | Cone, clear textured glass | 19 cm (7.5 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Tulip Cone | Cone, tulip motif | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 38 cm (15 in) |
| Winged Petal | Large cone, scalloped rim | 30 cm (11.8 in) | 46 cm (18.1 in) |
| Red Leaf Pyramid | Four-sided pyramid | 16 cm (6.3 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Pink Flower Pyramid | Four-sided pyramid | 16 cm (6.3 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Flower Pyramid | Four-sided pyramid | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Geometric Trapeze | Four flat panels, trapeze | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| White Vine Pyramid | Six-sided flared panels | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Blue Panel | Six-sided flared panels, cabochons | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Cream Panel | Eight-sided panels | 18 cm (7.1 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Petal Bell | Bell of curved glass petals | 20 cm (7.9 in) | 37 cm (14.6 in) |
| Large Petal Bell | Bell of curved glass petals | 30 cm (11.8 in) | 46 cm (18.1 in) |
| Large Orange Scales | Dome of glass leaf scales | 30 cm (11.8 in) | 46 cm (18.1 in) |
How the shape changes the light
These are general rules of thumb, not measurements of our lamps. A cone or pyramid has a small top and a wide open bottom, so most of the light falls downwards: good for reading at a bedside or a desk, with the coloured glass glowing above. A panel shade shows its pattern in clear blocks; the flat faces catch the light evenly, which suits geometric designs and cabochons. A bell opens wider at the rim than at the shoulder, so it throws a broad, soft circle onto the table. A dome covers the bulb on all sides and gives the most even all-round glow, which is why it is the usual shape for a living room lamp that is mostly decorative.
Clear and light-coloured glass (Clear Geometric, Petal Bell in clear or cream, White Vine Pyramid) lets more light through than dense, dark glass. If the lamp is your only reading light, start with a light glass; if it is an accent lamp, a deep colour is fine.
A quick size guide: shade versus lamp
All our small shapes sit on the same kind of cast base, so the shade size changes the look more than the height does. Using the sizes in the table:
- 16 cm pyramids: shade = 43% of the 37 cm height. The slimmest look; on a 40 cm nightstand they leave 24 cm free beside the shade.
- 18 to 20 cm cones, panels and bells: shade = 49 to 54% of the 37 to 38 cm height. The standard bedside or desk size; on a 45 cm nightstand they leave 25 to 27 cm free.
- 30 cm cone, bell and dome: shade = 65% of the 46 cm height. A fuller, heavier look for a console, a sideboard or a living room side table; a 120 cm console takes two of them with 60 cm free between and around the shades.
For every size from 16 to 40 cm, see our Tiffany table lamp sizes guide. For rounded floral domes, see floral Tiffany lamps, and for shade shapes on fabric and paper lamps, see types of lamp shades.
What all these lamps share
According to their product pages, all the lamps in the table have a stained glass shade on a resin base with an antique bronze finish, a warm white 3500K light, and a choice of US, EU, UK or AU plug. The 16 to 20 cm lamps have an on/off switch; the 30 cm lamps have an in-line on/off switch. None of them is dimmable. Browse the full range in our stained glass lamps collection or all table lamps.
Two more ways to choose: jewel and beaded Tiffany lamps compares the lattice, glass drops, cabochon and bead fringe shades with their real sizes, and our Tiffany lamp gift guide sorts the range by budget, size and the person you are buying for.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Tiffany lamp shade on its own?
In our shop, each Tiffany-style shade is sold as part of a complete lamp with its base. If you are looking for a specific shape or size, email us at info@abajurstudio.com and we will tell you which lamp has it.
Which shade shape is best for a bedside table?
A 16 to 20 cm cone, pyramid or bell. These shapes send most of their light downwards and leave about 24 to 27 cm free on a 40 to 45 cm nightstand, using the sizes above.
Are these lamps dimmable?
No. According to the product pages, they have a simple on/off switch (in-line on the 30 cm lamps) and are not dimmable.
