Louis Comfort Tiffany gave the iridescent art glass he patented in 1894 the name Favrile glass.
Tiffany developed Favrile glass in the late 19th century as part of his experiments with richly colored, light-reactive surfaces. The glass contains effects that can resemble metallic sheen, mother-of-pearl, or oil on water. Its appearance comes from the interaction of colorants, surface treatments, and the glass’s texture rather than from a painted image alone.
The name was originally associated with Tiffany’s company and its distinctive production methods. Tiffany used Favrile glass in vessels, lamps, mosaics, and architectural commissions, including stained-glass windows. The material helped establish the visual language associated with American Art Nouveau.
Favrile is not simply a synonym for every piece of iridescent glass. Tiffany’s trademarked term referred to his own commercial and artistic glass, while other manufacturers produced related iridescent materials under different names.