Luxury lamps: These are the most expensive lamps in the world

Light, if you look at it soberly, is something that most of us see every day. A lamp serves its purpose and provides the appropriate brightness depending on the time of day. Lamps are part of the furnishings and are often complemented by the furniture in a matching style. But what if lamps become a luxury item and become the predominant style element in the furnishing of a house or apartment?

Imagine that your lamps were real luxury items. Not just any light source, but an extravagant historical work of art or a trendy designer piece that is worth more than your entire property.

This article is about the most expensive lamps in the world. They are true light sculptures and only secondarily everyday objects. Real works of art with a story, investment objects and symbolize style, class, prestige and impressive designs.

 

Overview of the most expensive lamps in the world

The most expensive lamps in the world enchant with their external appearance and their individual value. For anyone who likes it particularly luxurious, there are rare and expensive lamps on the world market. Luxury and designer lamps are works of art, symbols and investment objects that can fetch top prices and cause normal earners to shake their heads. 

Those who can afford it can enjoy their daily evening reading under the very special glow of a lamp, which can cost 500,000 euros or more. However, the most expensive lamps in the world are in much higher price categories and are rarely used as reading lamps. 

 

Historical value the lamp

In the 19th century, lamps were no longer just functional, but also artistically designed. Valuable metals, precious crystals and elaborate craftsmanship became the trademarks of the elite. Based on the aristocratic taste of the royal families of the past and with technical innovations and creative shapes, lamps were created that fetch an incredible amount of money at auction. A historical past and limited quantities or the name of a renowned designer can drive up the price. 

 

The condition of the lamp is crucial to its value

The condition of an antique or luxury lamp at auction or sale is crucial. With old lamps, minor cracks are of course acceptable in moderation and, depending on their age, you cannot expect perfection.

Missing individual parts can significantly reduce the value, but valuable lamps that are, for example, over a hundred years old still fetch high prices. It is important to inspect the lamp for restoration and consider an expert's assessment. Depending on the lamp, this can quickly add up to several hundred euros.

Plagiarism and counterfeiting are dangerous. Because if they are well made, they are difficult to distinguish from the original. A specialist should always check the patina, the pattern, the casting of the base and the type and quality of the materials used. Reproductions are not easy to recognize and a trained eye can avoid an expensive mistake.

 

Rarities and history ensure high prices

Pompous and monumental chandeliers still decorate the halls and rooms in magnificent castles today and are among the most valuable lamps in the world. Inspired by the famous chandeliers of the French royal family and Louis XV. surpass them with more than 48 candles and a weight of more than 275 kg.

These chandeliers were made from an intricately carved glass and their ornaments are made from gilded bronze. A price of more than 500,000 euros per chandelier is not uncommon. There are certainly much more valuable lamps in some cathedrals and castles, but determining their value is sometimes not easy. They are part of the sanctuaries of many properties and are not open to the public. Your secret will be kept forever. 

 

Extravagant designs cause lamp prices to skyrocket

A famous crystal chandelier designed by Italian designer Giulio Salvati in the 19th century is worth more than 1 million euros, according to experts. The unique piece has a Gothic touch. What determines the price is not necessarily the high-quality materials, but the artistic design.

The exquisite craftsmanship and creativity of this work make up the value of this special one-of-a-kind piece, which has been recognized in many exhibitions by connoisseurs and visitors alike. Baccarat chandeliers from the 19th century, like the “Arlecchino” model, cost up to 4.6 million euros.  

 

An oriental fairy tale made of a thousand crystals

Large ones are particularly popular Pendant lights and Floor lamps from Morocco, Turkey and Egypt. They are often decorated with elaborate mosaics or hand-cut metal. Turkish chain floor lamps, which look like mosaic works of art, and Moroccan brass pendant lights are often considered luxury pieces.

Rare individual pieces from legendary palaces, mosques or the international antiques trade sometimes reach record prices at auction, but the exact amounts are difficult to determine and are often only disclosed upon request.

But this is exactly where the winner of the most expensive lamps in the world is. The legendary chandelier of the Schleich Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi was made by the Munich company Faustig manufactured and is considered one of the most impressive works of light art. 

The chandelier is an incredible 15 meters high and covered in 24-carat gold and decorated with 40 million Swarovski crystals. Not for the small budget, as the estimated price for production is to over 10 million euros. So that's this one Chandelier those by far most expensive lamp in the world.

 

Tiffany lamps as an interior concept of luxury

Lamps from this house are famous for their colorful and elaborate design. Tiffany lamps are extremely popular among collectors and the typical design is eye-catching On Sale quickly earn several hundred thousand euros.

By far the most expensive lamp is the well-known “Pink Lotus” lamp from the company in question. She joined at auction on December 12, 1997 Christie's in New York for an incredible $2,800,000. The work of art made up of 2000 pieces of glass in the mosaic is the symbol of Tiffany and many other lamps in the same style still achieve top prices on the market today.

Tiffany has established itself as a recognized brand and collectors and enthusiasts spend a lot of money to get their hands on the colorful and creative lamps. A highlight of Tiffany's chandelier art is the starburst chandelier. It was designed for the famous Metropolitan Opera in New York and created in collaboration with Austrian craftsmen. 20,000 Swarovski crystals adorn the two meter high chandelier with a diameter of 4 meters. 

Another lamp that reportedly fetched more than $3.33 million is the “Pons Lilly Table Lamp” from Tiffany, which is believed to be over 120 years old. This is a handcrafted lamp personally designed by Louis Komfort Tiffany to revive the art of stained glass. Your flower motif is unique.

 

An excursion into Tiffany's company history

When you look back at the history of the most expensive lamp in the world, it is of course like many luxury items. Often it is not just the material that is crucial, but the recognition of the artist who brought the works to life.

The son of the founder of the department store Tiffany & Co was deeply impressed by the colors of medieval glass art. He himself longed for a "living" glass and patented the process for its production, which is called “Favile”. This is stained glass that has been colored rather than coated, inspired by the art of ancient frescoes in the sacred halls of churches and cathedrals. 

The glass used is of enormous quality. The technology used to make the lamps is very complex and requires delicate handwork. Louis Komfort Tiffany, not to be confused with his famous father Charles Tiffany, the founder of the jewelry house Tiffany & Company, still stands for luxury lamps like no other. His lamps are real works of art. They consist of hundreds of individual pieces of colored glass and are soldered by hand to create floral and geometric patterns. From the very short heyday from 1900 to 1914, only a few examples are still being sold at auction today. 

Today, Tiffany lamps are closely linked to the Art Deco movement and were created by well-known artists such as Clara Driscoll, who made their talent available to the House of Tiffany.

Tiffany lamps were considered a lucrative investment in the 1980s. The more famous the designer, the more valuable the work of art and the corresponding lamp. In some cases, celebrities or noble houses purchased the lamps, which subsequently made them even more desirable. 

 

Luxurious lamps at BUYnBLUE

Of course, not everyone can put an expensive Tiffany lamp in their living room or hang a gold chandelier in the dining room. However, you don't have to forego quality, luxury and prestige when it comes to your home lighting.

In the online shop of BUYnBLUE You will find first-class, extravagant, luxurious and modern lamps for your individual interior style.

Pompous crystal chandeliers, elaborately designed hanging lamps and exclusive designer chandeliers are part of our repertoire, as are high-quality wall lights in innovative designs. Be inspired by an incredibly glamorous variety and high-quality materials with which you can achieve great lighting effects and create real highlights in your rooms. The selection is exquisite and affordable.

My personal favorite is this Designer chandelier Ninfea Verde. The pompous look, which is based on the shape of a green water lily leaf, transforms the room into a place of magic. The Designer chandelier Ninfea Verde is designed by a regionally known designer from Macau and is handcrafted to order. Each piece is therefore unique and something very special.

 

Conclusion

The most expensive lamps in the world are definitely real masterpieces of their time and a good investment for many collectors and fans. With their works of art made of light and color, the artists and designers revolutionized the world of lamps in their time and created milestones for the creativity and further development of lamp designs.

These lamps still fascinate today with their timeless shapes and colors. Many of our lamps in the online lamp shop are based on well-known designs or have developed them further. Your investment in the right light begins here.