Vintage Lamps and Shades

From primitive 18th century grease-burning lamps to the glassy concoctions of Tiffany, there are many vintage lamps and fixtures that, by their design alone, can add not only light but also beauty to any room.

Pre-electric lamps, with some exceptions, are not as difficult to find as one might expect. These are routinely available at many auction houses and can readily be found in most antique shops. The early lamps from the late 1700's burned whale oil or animal fats-even lard. New and improved kerosene lamps came along in the 1850's and were used through the early 1900's especially in the sparsely populated rural areas.

Some of these kerosene lamps appeared rather course and primitive while more elegant examples were actually very refined. For instance, certain lamps featured a pattern glass base with a colored glass shade and were considered quite decorative. These lamps were used to read by. Metal lamps with a more simple appearance were better suited to lighting one's way to the barn. Even though electricity already existed by this time, rural locations did not yet have access to utilities and therefore they continued to use kerosene lamps.

As many homeowners who lived in more urban areas began to switch to electricity near the end of the nineteenth century, a number of them had their kerosene lamps converted. During the last 20 to 25 years an increased interest in antiques and primitives emerged and with it the desire for lighting that matched. Many older kerosene lamps that had escaped early conversion were newly converted to provide easy and safe functionality while maintaining a desired look.

Unfortunately many of them were converted improperly which has greatly reduced any value they may have as antiques. If converted properly, a lamp can be changed back to kerosene without damaging it. If you are interested in purchasing a kerosene lamp make sure it is one that has been updated the right way.

Although there are many design variations, the basic kerosene lamp is made up of the following parts:

• Base. This is the bottom platform that supports the lamp and keeps it stable.

• Connector. Supports the font and attaches it to the base.

• Oil Font. The vessel that houses the oil.

• Collar. Made of metal, this piece connects the burner to the oil font.

• Raiser Knob. This controls the size of the flame.

• Wick. Made of cotton or linen. This is what is saturated with the oil to make the flame. The thicker the wick, the slower the fuel burns.

• Burner. The wick attaches to the burner. Oil is drawn into the burner by the wick.

• Chimney. Glass tube that provides the right airflow needed to produce a bright flame.

• Shade. A shade is not necessary but if one is used it diffuses the light.

Many collectors specialize in kerosene lamps from the small night-light variety to the large "Gone with the Wind" parlor lamps. Finger lamps are also very popular with collectors. These lamps are usually of the smaller variety and have a teacup style handle that makes them easier to carry around. These were designed to be portable.

There are many miniature kerosene lamps still around today. Some people love collecting these because miniatures give them the look they want and take up the least amount of room.

Other early examples of lighting include the Betty lamp. This type of lamp was common in both America and Europe and was used up until the latter part of the 19th century. The Betty lamp burned many types of oil and was a favorite of the times because it did a better than average job of lighting the inside of homes.

Gas lighting took hold in England early in the 19th century. Many streets were lit with outside gas fixtures as early as 1815. By the 1860's interior gas ceiling lights and gas wall fixtures were in much demand. If you need to date an early gas fixture, fixtures after 1897 had been improved and they were finally able to burn downward where the light was actually needed. Prior to 1897, gas fixtures had to point up toward the ceiling.

Electricity finally became the lighting of choice for most people right after WWI. No longer was lighting a messy or a hazardous proposition, at least not like it had been before the incandescent light bulb.

Since Victorian, Art Nouveau and Art Deco lamp styles are still desirable but are no longer produced; enter the reproduction market. There are many originals still available but most people are unable to pay the high price of buying a very collectible 50-100 year old lamp. Even if they can buy it, there's a chance that it will need rewiring or replacement parts, which will only drive the price up further. As it is with anything, there are good reproductions and not so good reproductions. Some of the companies that make copies do an excellent job. These companies provide an affordable opportunity for a large portion of the population to have distinct and stylish lighting in their homes.

One of the most popular reproduction items in the area of lighting is the stained glass shade. They have been made by the thousands and are readily available just about everywhere you go. Most of us are guilty of calling gelatin "Jell-O" and tissue "Kleenex" which are actually brand names.

The same applies to stained glass lamps. Everyone calls them "Tiffany" lamps. Well, almost everyone. All of the times that I was abruptly corrected for using that term have emotionally scarred me for life. I no longer make that mistake. Authentic stained glass lamps and other stained glass pieces made by Louis Comfort Tiffany are prized by collectors around and the world and command astronomical prices.

About 3 hours away from where we live is Flagler College. At one time it was the luxurious Ponce de Leon Hotel serving both the rich and famous. It was not only the first building in Florida to have electricity; it houses one million dollars worth of stained glass windows made by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Some other famous lamp makers include Edward Miller & Company who produced the famous Juno and Miller lamps. There was also Aladdin, Bradley & Hubbard, Dietz and Adams & Westlake who both made railroad lanterns.

For many people, lampshades are as important as the lamps themselves if not more so. The Tiffany stained glass shades we just discussed are a perfect example. If you had a real Tiffany shade, the lamp could be made of plastic and no one would notice. I know I'm exaggerating but I'm not really that far off the mark.

Other very impressive creators of both beautiful shades and lamps were Steuben, Quezal and Durand. Quality French lamp makers included Lalique, Gallé and Daum Nancy. Gustav Stickley and Frank Lloyd Wright also designed lamps that fit in with their Mission Style and Prairie School design furniture respectively.

Finally, a discussion of well-known and quality lamps would not be complete without mentioning two other types of shades, reverse painted and slag glass. Important makers of these included Handel, Pairpoint, Moe Bridges and Jefferson.

When shopping for vintage lamps remember that there are many online sites that offer all types of vintage lamp parts for sale. So don't count out a beautiful lamp that you may never find again because it has a problem. If you are willing to spend the necessary money on the lamp and the parts, that special lamp will be lighting up a room in your house in no time.

Today there are so many lamps to choose from because so many different types have been added to the marketplace during the last half-century. From the kerosene oil lamp to the very different lava lamp of the 1960's and everything in between -- to include bridge floor lamps, arc floor lamps, banker's lamps, goose neck lamps, figural lamps and perfume lamps. In the way of lamps, there is most certainly something out there for everyone.

Written by Anne Benedetto, Auction House Talk
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