Frank Lloyd Wright, 100 Year Old Paneled, Prism Glass Tile Luxfer 4" X 4" For Sale

Designedby Frank Lloyd Wright for the Luxfer prismatic tile company and patented in1897 these 4x4 inch glass tiles were set into the front transom of buildings torefract light hitting the building and carry it deep into the interior. Thiiswas in an age of gaslamp illumination so any additional light that could bebrought into a building was a great benefit. The success of these tiles can bemeasured by the thousands that were installed and the many that remain in usetoday over 100 years later. Due to the manganese in the glass the tiles turn asubtle purple when exposed to sunlight over many years.
The tiles have "flea bites and ticks" from being removed from windows and are in very good condition. Prismatic glass was touted as a fireproof way to light a buildingand was soon specified for new construction. Luxfer promoted prismatic glass asthe "Century's Triumph inLighting". PennStation in 1938 was a glorious example-- the glass roof lets in sunlight whichthen falls through the glass floor and illuminates the tunnels below. Throughout his career Wright retained the use of ornamentaldetail, earthy colors, and rich textural effects. His sensitive use ofmaterials helped to control and perfect his expression of space, which opened a new era inAmerican architecture. He became famous as the creator and expounder of“organic architecture”, his phrase, indicating buildings that harmonize bothwith their inhabitants and with their environment. The boldnessof his inventions and his command of space are probably his greatestachievements.

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