Favrile iridescent glass

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Blown favrile glass, 1896-1902, Louis Comfort Tiffany V&A Museum no. 1447-1902

Favrile iridescent glass is a type of art glass patented in 1894 by Louis Comfort Tiffany. The iridescent effect of the glass was obtained by mixing different colors of glass together while hot. The trade name Favrile was derived from an Old English word, fabrile, meaning handcrafted. (Or 'French' as per the reference in the Louis Tiffany biography, but means the same).

Favrile glass is distinguished by brilliant or deeply toned colors, usually iridescent like the wings of certain American butterflies, the necks of pigeons and peacocks, the wing covers of various beetles. (Louis Comfort Tiffany)

In 1865, Tiffany traveled to Europe, and in London he visited the Victoria and Albert Museum, whose extensive collection of Roman and Syrian glass made a deep impression on him. He admired the coloration of medieval glass and was convinced that the quality of contemporary glass could be improved upon. In his own words, the "Rich tones are due in part to the use of pot metal full of impurities, and in part to the uneven thickness of the glass, but still more because the glass maker of that day abstained from the use of paint."^{[citation needed]}

Tiffany wanted the glass itself to transmit texture and rich colors, and as such developed Favrile.