Deciding weather to invest in buying an antique Tiffany lamp or a newly made Tiffany style lamp is a big decision. Antique Tiffany lamps, especially those in mint condition can be extremely expensive, but they are a true investment that will go up in value as long as they stay in mint condition. Depending on how rare the lamp style is, and what type of lamp (floor lamp, table lamp, desk lamp), and what period the Tiffany was manufactured, the price will vary.
Even newly made Tiffany style lamps can be expensive due to the need for manual labor hours and skill that go into making the lamps, and the material costs to make a stained glass lamp. Stained glass is a very labor intensive art form, which means that it is expensive to buy even before you start to take into account the value of a rare antique.
Some of the most popular designs by Tiffany, like the Wisteria pattern, are highly coveted and treasured by Tiffany lamp collectors. Part of the cost involved is for the style of manufacture that Tiffany used, copper foil soldering. Copper foil is expensive and adds to the overall cost of making stained glass.
When weighing your decision on what to buy, think about where the lamp will be in your home or office, and how likely it is to be maintained in excellent condition. Then you also need to consider whether you will be unhappy with a reproduction.
If it is just the look you want, I would recommend a reproduction, but if you want the genuine item, then hold out for a real Tiffany lamp.
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