Moth Lamp Screen

ca. 1905

Decorative and functional, lamp screens like this Moth were used to shield a reader’s eyes from the bright glare of electric light. Electricity provided an incredible and welcome increase in the amount of light previously available in the home. The three light bulbs originally used in the reading lamp this Moth accompanied equaled the brilliance of about ninety candles or nine gas lamps.

Tiffany Studios, New York (1902-1932)
Leaded glass, copper
Width 8 in.
Not marked
2006.11a,b

Photo: David Schlegel