posted on June 8, 2001 03:36:39 PM new
Bought this "beauty" at a yard sale today....It's HUGE, about 44" in height...The base (up to the candelabra arms) appears to be made of stone (concrete), their are 4 candelabra arms, each with a small flame-shaped bulb, (can be turned on two at a time or all four at once) the shade is metal, with acorn finials (sp?) on the top & the middle.....and I believe that the white squares in the shade are plexiglass...Makes beautiful patterns on the ceiling and walls when lit.
Anyone ever seen one like this?....Any suggestions for a style/title?
posted on June 8, 2001 06:00:23 PM new
Eve St. LeGauche?.....
Ok, IMO it was so grotesquely hideous that it became intriguing (kinda like a bloody horror movie) to me (yeah, my therapist says I really gotta get over transfering feelings to inanimate objects - LOL!)....I figure some gold paint, oak stain to tone down the gold, replace the white plexiglass with something cheap & pretty and well, maybe it just might turn out desirable!
posted on June 8, 2001 08:10:12 PM new
I'm guessing the entire lamp is not concrete...is it metal? If so, have you removed a portion of the yellow paint? And, are you sure the windows are plexiglass and not thin mica stone? If you don't want to strip it, a coat of black or white enamel would do wonders.
posted on June 9, 2001 06:10:33 AM newRancher, Anyone ever seen one like this?....Any suggestions for a style/title?
Never saw one quite so ugly as this one!
I have had great success with calling a spade a spade... "Hideously Grotesque Victorian Lamp" should get quite a few hits and maybe even a bid or two! And I wouldn't touch the paint. Some folks actually collect ugly things... er, I mean DIFFERENT looking things!
I'd start the bidding and $250 and see where it goes from there.
posted on June 9, 2001 06:54:31 AM new
sideslam - You've got great taste!....It was soooo unusual, I too thought it was pretty nice!
Tomwiii & heygrape, hmmmmm perhaps then I should replace the white bulbs with RED bulbs? - LOL!
Escandyo - you're guessin' right!....it appears that everything up to the candelabra arms is cement/plaster?...it's separate pieces held together with a rod...The candelabra arms and entire shade are metal, as is the huge (approx. 4-5 inches) finial (sp?) on the very top. That top finial is the only part where the paint is/was loose, and underneath is a bright silvertone metal. If I do repaint it, I don't think I'd strip it, as the paint on the cement appears to be there for life!!...The inserts could be mica, they do sound like glass when tapped.....
rarriffle - Definately Unique!, I've never seen anything like it!
sugar2912 - That's the kinda title I had in mind!....&....I do believe that I'll let it take a run on the ole' auction boards just the way it is...Worst case, I get no action & then I can fiddle with it!.....It certainly would make an interesting decor piece, that's for sure!
posted on June 9, 2001 07:18:07 AM new
sadie999 - thanx for the title suggestion....In this case "unique" is definately NOT just a hook keyword!
insightwatcher...Agreed, pretty it's not..But unique it is!...& shipping is gonna be pricey & time comsuming in packin' it for safety..My friends thought I was nuts to buy it, my DH just rolled his eyes when I brought it into the house, but I'm drawn to the unusual, and it's good to know that I'm not alone!
posted on June 9, 2001 01:07:00 PM new
Certainly no expert here but what came to my mind is that it seems inconsistent to put such a detailed, intricate metal shade on a plaster base.
posted on June 9, 2001 03:06:17 PM new
tuition44years...hmmmm, that's a good point..I suppose it could be a "married" piece....Personally, I never seen a lamp base like this, the more I look & feel it the more I belieive it is concrete (like the outdoor statues), which is an odd pairing with the ornate metal. It does make for a very interesting, "one of a kind" piece, tho'.....
posted on June 9, 2001 03:22:16 PM new
I'd call it Balaban and Katz style after the 1920's movie palace designers. It is most likely stucco or gesso which after a while sort of looks like concrete. These were made by architectural decoration firms using the same materials they would use for ceiling moldings and other decorations and so on. Can't you just see it in a movie lobby, maybe sitting on stair railing. The plexiglass could be isenglass, an old item used in lamps, stoves and fireplace screens. Put this next to some silent film star's photo and see how it looks. Dale
posted on June 9, 2001 03:55:33 PM new
Also when it was new, the shade would have been lined with fabric. And probably have had all sorts of beads and fringe on it. I'd title the auction: 20's Movie Palace lobby lamp. And put it up in some movie related catagory. Dale
posted on June 10, 2001 10:58:54 AM new
Dale, thanx for the very, very interesting information....Lookin' over the lamp (again!) your info on the material type & the fact that lamp bases of this type were made by architectural firms makes good sense. The designs in the cement/stucco/gesso are very very similiar to those found in the old architectual elements. I could also visualize these pieces halfed and mounted on walls....
I was not familiar with the Balban & Katz movie palace style, but after studying the pictures I found of places like the Paradise & Chicago Theaters, I can now see this lamp in a very different light (pardon the pun!)...I even found one pic, with a floor lamp that appears to have many of the same elements/styles...The shade in it's heyday must have been truly magnificent! But even now the design remains intriguing & the shadows cast on the walls and ceiling are beautiful.
Looks like a trip to the library, for further research is in order....
Thanx again for you info, I surely do appreciate it!
~ Rancher
posted on June 10, 2001 02:10:59 PM new
You are welcome rancher24. These sorts of things are made like picture frames. A basic wood shape covered with stucco or gesso. Than more and more elaborate designs go on. It is done sort of like cake decorating, squeezing out of a tube. Voice of experience: never try to strip something like this. I did once and all the decoration melted like spring snow. Also there is furniture done this way. With paint or a heavy varnish, you think it is carved. Noooooo. Strip it and you end up with a pine box. Good luck, Dale
