Bronze Lamp Conversion with some type of overlay material on the column.
This lamp is from a collection of vintage pieces I purchased. It is 37 inches from the base to the top of the lamp without the finial which is not original, nor is the shade. The lamp is on a three way switch and it works perfectly. The base is just under 6 inches wide. It is 34 inches tall.
unknown
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Yes
Hi Rhonda,
Yes, these are fun to work out!
I think porcelain is probably the most likely overlay; it looks like there are some glazing losses near the top, probably not too impactful to value. I think the top part of the lamp is probably brass while the base is more likely to be bronze. It looks like it was once a kerosene or gas lamp that has been converted with electricity
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A Neoclassical style brass, bronze and porcelain table lamp
Probably English, circa 1880-1900
Surmounted by a tapering cylindrical brass section over a reeded fitting with gas switch key, shaped ovoid receptical, raised on a cylindrical standard with reeded porcelain overlay, on a circular bronze foot. Now fitted with a three-way switch
34 inches overall height
CONDITION: in good condition; likely converted with electricity
$300-500*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Thanks, Rhonda!
Thank you, Delia. I looked at the converted lamps at 1st Dibs and that is how I decided to submit mine for appraisal. I see that most are in a different category in terms of value, but I think this amp has a certain elegance that allows it to be somewhere near the value of some of these? Please take a look. Thanks.
https://www.1stdibs.com/search/furniture/?oq=converted%20oil%20lamp&q=converted%20oil%20lamp
Hi Rhonda,
I've looked at the link. 1stDibs is a retail site with the pricing possibly being inflated as antique retailers will often expect to negotiate down on a price. That said, I could see your lamp bringing a bit more at auction and will raise the estimate a bit, to $300-500, which puts an insurance value on yours a bit closer to what those lamps on 1stDibs are priced at.
Thank you, Delia.
Hi Delia:
There is nowhere to go on lock down, so this seemed like a fun investigation. I got an old ivory bracelet from India out of the closet, and it matches in color, but not touch. The lamp overlay is cold to the touch. The ivory is warmer or neutral, not cold at all. The sound of the overlay is like a metal, in addition to being ice cold. Sounds like tin. It does not feel like wood or stone. It is smooth, but not as smooth as polished ivory. There are little nicks here and there. Seems like metal, or the way it has little chips, perhaps porcelain?