Antique Lamps: How to Spot Them

Do you have an antique or vintage lamp that could be worth a lot of money? Antique shops, estate auctions, estate sales, flea markets, and furniture stores are all buzzing with interest these days, so old lamps aren't hard to come by. You may buy a broad variety of lamps, but how can you know if your lamp is trash or treasure? Antique Lamp Supply has over 60 years of experience in the lighting industry and can provide you with the information and guidance you need to assess whether your old lamp is a valuable collectible.

In this tutorial, we'll show you some of the most obvious signs to look for while checking your lamp, as well as some of the most common lights that are now fetching great prices.

Antique Lamps: How to Spot Them

It's crucial to understand the variations between antique, vintage, and modern lighting before we go into lamp identification. An antique, as defined by the industry, is a collectible object that has been around for at least 100 years. Because these décor words are frequently interchanged to detract from lamp faults, the term «vintage» is a little tougher to define. A vintage item is constrained by the era in which it was created or came to popularity, but an antique is a treasure that is over 100 years old.

We typically use the term «vintage» to describe objects that are less than 100 years old, but not items that are less than 20 years old. However, a lamp's age does not always imply great worth. Depending on the manufacturer and circumstances of manufacturing, modern lamps can be extremely valuable as collectibles.

Examine the overall condition of your old lamp to see whether it has any damage or if it can be repaired. Damages may diminish the value of a light, but they do not always negate the value of a rare item. If your lamp is electric, see if it turns on by plugging it in. Unplug the lamp and look for traces of hardware repairs and current modifications like glued-up cracks, paint touch-ups, and more. Some antique chinese lamps that are left in original condition with most or all of the original parts are frequently more desirable.

Lightly scratch the underside of the lamp surface to determine the type of material it is made from. Some lamps may appear to be made of metal, but they might also be painted to look and feel just like metal. Inspect the lampshade by pinching it between your thumb and index finger. If the shade feels greasy or brittle, there's a good chance that it may be old or the original shade for your lamp.

Manufacturer's Label: Most lamps created by well-known designers will have the name of the firm listed somewhere on them. Handel Company, Tiffany Studios, Duffner and Kimberly, Dirk Van Erp Studio, Edward Miller and Company, Fulper, and Roycroft are among the most well-known designers.

If you can't discover a definitive label, look for other signs that can help you figure out what brand and model your old light is. A dated stamp or maker's hallmark could be found embedded in the base or on the lighting fixture. You should not, however, presume that the lamp and shade came as a set. Over time, many lampshades are replaced. Based on any indications you've discovered, consult lamp guides or other reference books to determine the manufacturer, lamp model, and production year.

Accessories: Many people are unaware that the value of a lamp's fittings and decorations might exceed the value of the lamp itself. Bone, cinnabar, ivory, jade, pink tourmaline, rose quartz, and other rare materials were used to make many lamp finials, which are now quite valuable. Lamps can be worth more than old bulbs. Collectible Edison and early Weston bulbs can sell for hundreds of dollars. Last but not least, the lampshade should not be overlooked. Iridescent Favrile glass and complex glass mosaics, as well as cloth and parchment, are used in some of the most recognisable colours.

Are you attempting to figure out what type of antique light you have? Types of Antique Lamps is a useful resource. This article discusses some of the most common lights and features from the last several centuries, such as Argand lamps, Tiffany lamps, and many others. We provide a large assortment of lamp components and accessories, so no matter how valuable your light is, you can fix it.

I am Kevin Taylor. I love writing and reading books.