How do you know if a lamp is vintage?

How do you know if a lamp is vintage?

Antique lamps should feature hand-painted designs, so look for brush marks. If the work is perfectly smooth, it might be a decal. You can also identify a decal by touch — decals are smooth, while paint feels textured. Generally, the presence of decals indicates a modern reproduction rather than an antique.

How much is an alabaster lamp worth?

Present asking prices for large figural and table alabaster lamps are as high as $1,200, while a pair of mint, working boudoir lights with silk shades bring $40 to $70, based on size and decoration.

What is a Stiffel lamp?

The Stiffel Lamp Company, founded in Chicago in 1932 by Ted Stiffel, sought to use a variety of metals and creative designs in the lamps. The trademark feature of Stiffel lamps is a foil signature and a combination of metal and other materials in the composition of the lamp.

Can you tell how old a lamp is by its cord?

Clues in the Cord In an electric lamp, the cord often reveals the clue to the lamp’s age, unless the cord has been replaced. Inspect the cord; if it looks old, the lamp probably is as well. The metal prongs on the plug are likely the same size, rather than one end that is larger than the other.

How can you tell how old a hurricane lamp is?

Look closely for any company stamp or production dates on the metal parts, such as the base or the portion that contains the wick. If you find markings, this can be a clue as to who made the lamp — and when. Check out the base. Older lamps have a heavy metal base, but newer versions are not very heavy.

What is the meaning of alabaster?

Alabaster is a pale mineral that’s soft enough for carving. The root of alabaster is a Greek word meaning “perfume vase,” alabastros. You’ll also find ancient tomb carvings, windows in medieval cathedrals, and Egyptian sarcophagi made of alabaster.

What is an alabaster lamp?

The best alabaster lamps create a uniquely soft, translucent glow for lighting purposes. In medieval times, alabaster was used to form religious statues and articles. Larger pieces were used as premium, ornamental stone.

What are the most collectible lamps?

The 12 Most Expensive Lamps In The World

• Genoese Crystal Chandeliers – $677,203.
• Daum Crystal Chandelier – $680,000.
• Classical French 48 Candle Chandelier – $740,000.
• Salviati Chandelier – $1,000,000.
• Tiffany Wisteria Lamp – $1,565,000.
• Kuwaiti Mall Chandelier – $1.8 million.
• Pink Lotus Tiffany Lamp – $2.8 million.

What is the most expensive lamp in the world?

1. Pink Lotus Tiffany Lamp The most expensive lamp in the world the Pink Lotus sold at Christie’s Auction House in New York, on December 12, 1997, for an unbelievable price of $2.8 million. The Tiffany Company was founded by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1875.

How can you tell if its a Stiffel lamp?

Stiffel lamps often contain a foil signature decal on the bottom of the lamp’s metal or high-quality wood base. Look for “Stiffel Lamp Company,” “SLC” or “Stiffel” on the decal or etched into the bottom of the lamp’s base.

How can you tell if a lamp is solid brass?

Solid brass is not magnetic. If the magnet sticks, the item is usually steel or cast iron, with a brass plating. If the magnet does not stick, you can test further by scratching a hidden area with a sharp tool. If you see a shiny yellow scratch, the item is likely solid brass.

How can you tell if a lamp is brass?

How can you tell if a lamp is brass? The way to tell if something is solid brass, or only brass plated is with a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the piece, it’s brass plated. If it doesn’t, do one further test, just to be sure it’s not actually brass plating on top of another non-magnetic metal.

Are old lanterns worth anything?

In general the most valuable lanterns will be fixed globe or presentation lanterns that can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Mid grade lanterns will be tall globe lanterns worth $50 up to several hundred dollars.

What is the difference between marble and alabaster?

Alabaster is softer and lighter than marble. Whereas, Marble is a metamorphic rock, which was formed out of another sort of rock due to the extreme heat and pressure in the Earth’s crust. Marble is twice harder than Alabaster. On the other hand, Alabaster is a translucent material.

What can we learn from the alabaster box?

The woman with the alabaster jar can teach us so much about love and sacrifice. How many of us would bring our most costly possession and give it to our King and Lord?

Is alabaster rare?

The regular white alabaster is not rare. White alabaster is found in many countries around the world such as England, Belgium, China, India, Turkey, Cyprus, Italy, Spain, and the United States. Black alabaster is considered to be the rarest of all alabasters.

How can you tell if alabaster is real?

Genuine alabaster is a minimum of 3/8-inch thick and weighs at least twice as much as imitations. Veins are both translucent and dark and are completely random. If you see two pieces that have the same veining pattern in the same location, they are not genuine.

What are vintage lamps made of?

Many lamp finials were made of bone, cinnabar, ivory, jade, pink tourmaline, rose quartz, or other rare materials that are now very expensive. Old bulbs can also be worth more than a lamp.

What is vintage lamp?

Manufacturers of these antique lamps typically made the metal base and burner and bought the glass from another manufacturer. Between the 1840s and the early 1900s, during the Victorian Era, oil lamps and candelabras coexisted with early electric lamps.

How do you fix an old lamp?

1. Remove the Bulb and Lamp Shade. To begin your repair, you’ll need to disassemble the lamp.
2. Remove the Socket.
3. Remove the Old Cord and Plug.
4. Prepare the New Cord.
5. Thread the New Cord Through the Lamp.
6. Attach the New Socket.
7. Attach the New Plug.
8. Replace the Bulb and Lamp Shade.

Should you rewire an old lamp?

Depending on the age of the lamp, you may have to bring in new wires too. This is because different bulbs may have different wiring systems and if the existing system does not perfectly fit in then you will have to rewire your antique lamp as well. Electrical faults do and can occur at any given time.

How do you fix a short in a lamp?

How to Repair a Faulty Lamp

1. Unplug the lamp.
2. Remove the shade, bulb, and harp (the wired shape that holds the shade).
3. Snap off the socket shell from the socket shell cap.
4. Pull the socket switch up out of the shell base to expose enough of the switch to reveal the two wires attached to it.
5. Unscrew the wires.

How old is the best vintage motion lamp?

1956 Goodman Econolite Motion Lamp with Lightghouse and water scene. This 41 years old Christmas Motion lamp constitutes a great example of the vintage decor. Bring in some magical ambience into your interiors and celebrate the one and only Christmas time. A beautiful motion lamp in a vintage style.

What kind of motion lamp was in the 1950s?

1956 Goodman Econolite Motion Lamp with Lightghouse and water scene. Vintage look for an old-fashioned, 1950s stylized table lamp with a frame made out of metal with a brass finish and a decorative engraving. The middle of the lamp is fitted with a Boat Race painting of Robert E Lee Natchez.

What should I use to clean a vintage motion lamp?

Because you’re purchasing a vintage piece, it’s critical that you take extra care during maintenance. Maintaining the elegance of these lamps require light cleaning with a soft, clean cloth that’s been dipped in warm water mixed with a mild detergent.

What does a vintage table lamp look like?

When turned on, it looks as if the water was actually flowing. A funny, rotating table lamp in a vintage style. It features a brass base with a golden finish and a shade that depicts an image of a peeing boy. The picture was painted in a skilful manner making the lamp a beautiful accent of the room.