posted on October 4, 2005 02:21:46 PM
I know nothing about this stuff but my first thought was... Way too gaudy...must be French
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on October 4, 2005 03:18:01 PM
Since there's a cord, it's obviously electric. Look inside the switch / bulb socket assembly. See if there is a brand name for the hardware, and if there are any words stamped on it.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
posted on October 4, 2005 03:40:11 PM
I'm no expert but this definately does'nt look German. I think it's American. This is one of what is typically a pair of "mantle lustres" or "lusters", which were displayed on fireplace mantles, and serving buffets. There were many fine earlier examples of mantle lustres, one of the most familiar styles were made of etched or handpainted Cranberry glass, with clear prisms.
Not sure exactly when they came into vogue, but they went out of style in the late 1920s- 1930s. Your lamp looks like it is from that later era.
I would call the glass either "satin glass" or "Bristol -type glass". It is hand applied gold paint (not technically hand painted), but they used a stencil or template as a design guide, with perhaps a little hand painted accent work.
Hope this helps!
[ edited by williamblake on Oct 4, 2005 03:46 PM ]
posted on October 4, 2005 04:10:45 PM
Ditto williamblake
But I think it could have been converted to a lamp and could be older. It's really pretty - too bad there isn't a pair.
posted on October 4, 2005 05:00:55 PM
Very much post-WWII style. Original Victorian era lustres were usually taller/more elegant shaped, and of course the painting on this is very 20th century in style. One of my aunts has a pair of similar lamps in bedroom (with no prisms).
Most likely this was made as a lamp and not a conversion.
Oddly enough there was quite a revival of the Victorian era items in the 1930s, and there were reproductions of these available then. This was brought on by the book/movie of Gone with the Wind.
posted on October 4, 2005 05:08:31 PM
We just came home from an auction with a pair of pink and gold painted satin glass lamps, very much like those, but no prisms.
These have little round foil labels saying only "Germany", so we bet yours probably are, too! We're not sure about the vintage, ours have metal bases with some wear, and old electric cords.
Just thought it was odd, we buy and sell a lot of lamps, and this was the first time we'd ever seen any marked Germany! Ours cost $2.50 for the pair, but there weren't a lot of bidders around, so who knows about the value...
posted on October 5, 2005 02:25:09 PM
Damariscotta
I never thought about that but I'm sure you are correct about the GWTW influence. I was thinking that the base looked like the ones used so often in the 20's for mount Oriental vase. I see them all the time but this is a bit different.
fishfry
I want to go to auction with you!!! What a deal
posted on October 6, 2005 06:27:07 AM
I've always referred to them as bristol glass mantel lustres or a garniture set. Probably early 20th Century - I don't believe they are Victorian.
Caroline