Lustre Art Glass: American Iridescent Art Glass Shades
Lustre Art Glass Company was a small but significant American art glass manufacturer based in Maspeth, Queens, New York, operating primarily from 1920 to 1935. The firm specialized in producing iridescent art glass lamp shades that closely rivaled the work of Quezal and Steuben. Founded by Conrad Vahlsing Jr. and Paul Frank -- both former employees of the Quezal Art Glass and Decorating Company -- Lustre Art carried forward the iridescent glass traditions that originated with Louis Comfort Tiffany.
Styles and Forms
- Pulled Feather Shades -- The most recognizable Lustre Art product, featuring pulled or "hooked" feather decoration in green and gold iridescence on opal white or gold aurene backgrounds. Produced for both gas and electric fixtures.
- King Tut Pattern -- A coiled, swirling pattern in iridescent gold on a contrasting ground, inspired by the Egyptian Revival following the 1922 discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb.
- Gold Aurene Shades -- Simple iridescent gold shades for chandeliers and sconces, produced in large quantities as replacement shades for Tiffany and Quezal fixtures.
- Ribbed and Fluted Shades -- Plain or lightly decorated shades in various profiles for table and floor lamps.
- Vases and Decorative Pieces -- Limited production of vases, bowls, and ornamental items, far less common than shades.
Identification and Marks
- Signed pieces bear "Lustre Art" etched or painted on the interior fitter rim
- Many shades are unsigned, requiring attribution based on form, color, and decoration style
- Lustre Art shades are sometimes confused with Quezal -- Lustre Art feathering tends to be slightly less refined but very competent
- Fitter sizes follow standard dimensions (2-1/4" for sconces and chandeliers, larger for table lamps)
- Glass quality is generally excellent with strong, consistent iridescence
Auction Price Ranges
| Item | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Pulled feather shade, signed, single | $100 - $300 |
| Set of 4-5 matching feather shades | $500 - $1,500 |
| King Tut pattern shade | $150 - $400 |
| Gold aurene chandelier shade | $50 - $150 |
| Decorated vase, signed | $300 - $1,200 |
| Large table lamp shade, decorated | $200 - $600 |
| Rare form or unusual color combination | $400 - $1,000+ |
| Ribbed/fluted plain shade | $30 - $100 |
| Set of matched sconce shades (pair) | $200 - $500 |
Condition Factors
- Chips on fitter rims are very common and reduce value by 30-50%; small flakes are more acceptable than large chips
- Cracks render shades essentially unsaleable except as reference examples
- Iridescence quality varies -- strong, multicolored iridescence is most desirable
- Consistency of sets matters enormously: matched sets of 4-6 identical shades command strong premiums over singles
- Heat damage from fixtures can cause discoloration near fitter rims
- Internal soot or staining from gas fixtures is common on earlier pieces and can sometimes be cleaned
Collecting Tips
Lustre Art shades offer excellent value compared to equivalent Quezal and Tiffany shades, often at 30-50% less for comparable quality and decoration. Collectors who need replacement shades for period lighting fixtures frequently seek Lustre Art as a more affordable alternative to original Tiffany or Quezal shades.
Building matched sets is the primary challenge -- buy sets when available rather than trying to assemble them one shade at a time, as slight variations in color and pattern make exact matching difficult. Signed examples command a premium but unsigned Lustre Art shades, once correctly attributed, are essentially identical in quality. The decorative vases and non-shade forms are uncommon and represent an underexplored area for collectors interested in American iridescent art glass.