How to Identify Vintage Lighting
Antique lights or lamps are considered exciting finds and enticing additions to any home. Whether you come across a vintage-looking lighting piece in a garage sale, thrift store or even your own house, don't take its appearance as a guarantee of authenticity. With just a bit of time and energy, you can identify antique lighting as well as an expert. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Research first. Spend time looking at different light fixtures from old eras to familiarize yourself with different styles. The more knowledgeable you can be, the less likely you are to be fooled.
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Examine the vintage light thoroughly. Look for distinguishing features you can use to identify your find more precisely, such as logos, manufacturer names, symbols, motifs, maker's marks or unique patterns. If you're lucky, you'll find a date engraved on the fixture.
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Decide whether the light is gas or electric. While lighting styles vary over time, the easiest way to spot an authentic fixture is to check whether it is gas or electric. Prior to 1900, the vast majority of light fixtures were powered by gas. Then, in the early 1900s while gas fixtures were still prevalent, electric lights gradually became more popular.
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Check electric light features. Before 1900, electric lights were rare and can be easier to identify. Before 1890, electric lighting fixtures had wood or fiber insides; after 1900, porcelain was more common. Check sockets and light switches for unique characteristics. Some manufacturer names to look for are Edison, Bergmann, Brush, Swan, Thomas-Hudson and Westinghouse. After about 1910, electric lighting production exploded, and styles can be much more difficult to pick out.
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Locate the light through Internet search engines. Once you identify some distinguishing markers, try to find the light you need to identify online. Websites like Ebay and Google are helpful resources. Be as specific as you can, and don't be discouraged if you don't find anything at first. Use multiple search engines, and change the search wording to make a more thorough search.
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Take the fixture to an expert. Antiques dealers and appraisers have a wealth of knowledge that can make your search easier. Always get a second opinion, however.
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Tips & Warnings
It is very difficult to identify the age of older lighting fixtures accurately. A professional antiques collector, dealer or appraiser is the best source for a more careful estimate.
Always have antique lighting checked by an expert before using the fixture, particularly if it's electric. Old wires and cords increase the risk of electric shock.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit electric light image by michael langley from Fotolia.com
