Collecting Antiques

by: Lauren Tyler.

People love antique lamps and Lauren writes a good intro here about them. She provides a brief history and makes us remember that real antique lamps were not always electric ones.

Lamps are very popular household appliances and these days most homes are in possession of at least one type of lamp. Before the advent of electricity, lamps were a necessity to provide some sort of light within the home. However, With the passing of time, people are using lamps not only to brighten up their homes but also to improve the interior décor of their houses.

The sophisticated designs, styles and models of lamps have been embraced by consumers especially in our modern world of home makeovers and homestyling.

With the change in time there have also been changes in the lighting materials. For example, previously the material used was candles followed by gas and at present, electricity is used. On the other hand, the lamps of each era had exclusive features that show the distinctive standard of living of the people and how these lamps were used.

Antique lamps have been in existence for a long time and often remind us of a bygone era. Finding rare, antique lamps is something of a collector’s hobby and it can be fun and interesting scouring the local auction places, boot sales and antique shops for a rare find.

Antique dealers are a great source of antique lamps and often may have restored an antique vintage lamp to its former glory. Restoration consists of replacement of certain parts without destroying their historical value, burnishing or polishing.

Some examples of antique lamps are electric lamps, banquet lamps, piano lamps, kerosene lamps, gas chandeliers, oil lamps and gas lamps.

Included in such lamps are the American and Victorian designed art glass lamps and different instruments used for lighting.

People buy antique lamps because of their pattern and style which they add to their collection to enhance it. Keeping the periodic designs and historical values in mind, certain lamps are sold to museums. Art collectors take interest in them because they want to donate them to museums or include them in their collections.

Kerosene and oils lamps are few of the most popular lamps. These lamps can appear as lovely and elegant as they were at the time of their production more than a century ago. You can add romance to the atmosphere by lighting antique lamps.

If you are buying lamps with glass shades then you should carefully examine the lamp to ensure that there is no glass breakage or scratching as the damage usually occurs here. Also examine the lamp to ensure that there are no burn marks on the shades, especially if it has a fabric lampshade. Burn marks can be indicative of an unsafe lamp.

When buying antique lighting fixtures, beware of imitations.

Whilst there are many decent reproduction lamps now available, make sure you are aware that you are buying a reproduction item and fully know that the item you are buying is not the genuine antique lamp.