Lamps and Lighting Brighten Collecting Days

Various forms of 19th- and 20th-century lighting were on the minds of collectors at Fontaine’s Fine & Decorative Arts sale on May 20. Though the 538 lots offered also included art glass, leaded glass windows, fine silver, porcelain, paintings, furniture, and jewelry, table lamps took six of the top 10 lots. Bidders snapped up nearly […]

Cranberry Glass Foyer Lamp

Q:  I have an antique light fixture in my hallway that has been electrified. I was told it is cranberry glass and was once illuminated by placing fuel in the small pull-down base which seals the bottom. The glass has swirled ribs and is 10 inches in diameter. It has brass fittings. Does the lamp […]

Frederick Cooper Lamp

Q: Can you tell me anything about this tall Frederick Cooper table lamp and what the value would be? Is it okay to replace the cord before trying to sell an item like this? A: Frederick Cooper opened a studio in Chicago in 1923. He did paintings and sculpture and soon began designing lamps. Frederick […]

Handel Style Lamp

Q: I have a lamp with a glass shade that was my grandmother’s. I’m guessing it would have been purchased around 1920. There are no markings on it anywhere. It is 22 inches tall and the shade is 16 inches in diameter. There are two light bulb sockets and chain pulls. Can you tell me […]

New Chandeliers

A new line of chandeliers in stores must have been inspired by the craft designers who use antiques in new ways. The chandeliers have metal tiers that hold old looking beer bottles, silverware or cups.  

Tiffany Style Lamp

Q: I recently acquired this “Tiffany” style lamp. Can you tell me anything about it? A: Louis Comfort Tiffany (1848-1933) was an American glass designer who worked from about 1879 to 1933. Most Tiffany lamps have bronze bases and leaded glass shades. Tiffany lamps were almost always marked. If the base is marked “Tiffany Studios” […]

Handel Lamp

The first Tiffany lamps with dome-shaped stained glass shades were made in 1895. They became very popular and very expensive. Other lamp and glass companies adapted the idea and made less expensive reverse painted glass shades, colored glass and metal trimmed shades, and copies of the originals. None are as expensive as the originals today, […]