How do you identify an antique lamp?

Antique lamps should feature hand-painted designs, so look for brush marks. If the work is perfectly smooth, it might be a decal. You can also identify a decal by touch — decals are smooth, while paint feels textured. Generally, the presence of decals indicates a modern reproduction rather than an antique.

Are old table lamps worth anything?

Lamps are often more valuable when left in an original condition with most or all the original parts. Lightly scratch the underside of the lamp surface to determine the type of material it is made from. If the shade feels greasy or brittle, there’s a good chance that it may be old or the original shade for your lamp.

How do you tell if a lamp is a Stiffel?

Stiffel lamps often contain a foil signature decal on the bottom of the lamp’s metal or high-quality wood base. Look for “Stiffel Lamp Company,” “SLC” or “Stiffel” on the decal or etched into the bottom of the lamp’s base.

What is vintage slag glass?

“Slag glass” is a collectors’ name for opaque pressed glass with coloured streaks, usually white and/or cream streaks like this brown bugle made by George Davidson’s in the North East of England in the 1890’s. Mosaic glass was made by combining together glass from two separate pots, one purple and one opal or white.

What are Stiffel lamps?

Stiffel lamps were made using a variety of materials that included bronze, brass, pewter, and silver. Finishes included brushed, polished and antique brass, polished nickel or silver, or a combination of silver and black. A few were gunmetal gray, Roman bronze or burnt umber. Most of all, look for quality.

When did they stop making Tiffany lamps?

While Tiffany lamps fell out of fashion (and even ceased production) by 1913, they saw a resurgence in the 1950s. Since then, they have become a collector’s item, appearing in private collections, auction houses, fine art museums, and, for some lucky thrifters, even unassuming antique shops and flea markets.

Are Frederick Cooper lamps valuable?

Prices for Frederick Cooper Table Lamps can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes. The price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $9,950, while pieces like these can sell for $1,980 on average.