Floor lamp stand

Question

I have this lamp in my possession and want to refurbish it, but I also want to learn of its history. I know it can from down with Florida. If anyone can give me guidance to search I will be grateful. It's heavy glass based, has a peculiar plugin, maybe earlier 20s, 30s style

Cathey DeRosa · Answer

@Hazelmckinney. I just wrote a long idea for you and my computer crashed. So, I here I go again. I have redone lamps before. This one is gorgeous and very intricate which makes it an awesome find. What I do first is to sand the lamp with fine (150) sand paper. Don't knock yourself out. It's just to get the paint to adhere. Then I clean all the lamp off, rub down with alcohol and spray paint it. I like a matte finish. A gloss will not allow the intricate design to show through. I love white, but you do whatever you want. I would choose a light color to show off the design. After shaking the can for over a minute. Spray in even, light strokes. You may have to put several layers of spray paint on there to keep it from dripping. You only have to wait about 10 min. in between coats. Make sure all is covered. I am not into the distressed look. I like the clean look myself. Then I spray a couple of Clear Matte Finish on to help preserve your piece. The bottom portion of your lamp is an added interest. That I would maybe paint a contrasting color and possibly even metallic depending on the color you choose for the lamp. I love brass and copper. Gold and silver are okay, but so common. They also have metallic now in all sorts of colors. Spray that also with a Clear Gloss Finish if you go metallic I hope this helps. I would have a blast with this lovely piece. Good luck and have fun. You are going to have a beauty when done. Cathey

Swan Road Designs · Answer

You have potential for a beautiful lamp.

First, for it's history. Even though electricity was available in this country as early as the late 1800s, the 'common' household didn't get it until about the '30s, so I would imagine you lamp dates to around the '30s or a bit later. You didn't show a photo of the cord/plug so can't comment further.

You say, Florida, but that's a difficult area to provide the history for furnishings. That's largely because, for sooooo many years, residents have migrated there after retirement, for their health, etc. In doing so, they usually only brought with them their favorite, most cherished or most costly belongings. As a result, the lamp could have a history going back to nearly anywhere in the U.S. or from another country.

I'd not mess with the glass part except to clean it thoroughly. From the look of the photo, I would imagine the whole thing unscrews and should come apart in stacked pieces. Once you've disassembled it, I'd photograph it, in order of reassembly, inspect each glass portion for cracks and/or chips and then give it a good soaking bath in a solution of dissolved granulated dishwasher detergent and hot water. Make sure you submerge it completely.

After it's had its bath, use an old toothbrush and scrub each little nook and cranny to ensure all aged crud has been removed. There could be years of grime from smoking, residue from coal or oil furnace use in its old home, you name it. It can't talk, so you just have to be a little Sherlock Holmesish and give it your best guess.

All scrubbed up, it should be rinsed multiple times, making sure that the insides are swished well. Towel try and set on a rack, openings down, to air dry for at least 24 hours. Sounds like a lot of work, but it will probably pay off handsomely.

By the time all the glass sections are clean and dry, you can address what you wish to do with the remaining metal parts. It's already been suggested that you use some sort of metallic paint on them, which would be fine. I'm thinking it could be interesting to use some of the paint that creates a marble-like effect instead. That way, you would have the look of marble and glass, which might be quite attractive.

Just my 'two-cents.'

Carrie Tait · Answer

I agree with Swan Road designs - clean the glass - paint the rest and rewire. You can get a kit to rewire and it is very easy- I did it with out any help.

Hazel mckinney · Answer

Thinking apple green or buttercup yellow

Fab and Pretty · Answer

I have to echo the others saying get it rewired and just clean the glass. I came up with a cool idea for a lampshade and showing off the Edison (vintage bulbs) you could consider this technique for the light and base area with any colour of your choice instead of the black. http://www.hometalk.com/diy/decorate/rooms/charity-store-brass-lamp-to-upstyled-edison-lamp-6593763

Sabrina Hadaway · Answer

I would just clean it up well. Don't take anything away from it by painting. You can buy a rewire kit from Home Depot, etc, for less than $10 usually. All you are doing is pulling the old wiring out & threading the new wiring, Very simple to do. I learned how to do it when I was about 10.

Liliana Wells · Answer

Beautiful lamp.

MagnoliaMama · Answer

Do not--repeat, do NOT--paint the glass or you will completely destroy the value of this lamp! It is hard to tell from the photo, but to me it looks like real hand-cut glass with a silver-plated base. A lamp like this, from the 1920s especially, would be extremely valuable. I would suggest that you buy fabric-covered lamp cord and an antique style plug so that you can restore the lamp to its original condition (antique-replica lamp parts are sold on Amazon, ebay, and many lamp stores have them). Consult a reputable high-end antiques dealer or contact the American Cut Glass Association (www.cutglass.org) to learn about the value of your lamp.

Barb Burnham · Answer

If you have Ace Hardware stores in your area they have kits already put together for lamp rewiring. If the cord in the package isn'the long enough, they have the cord by the foot and will often put it on for free.  For its value: if you paint it you kill any value of its age; actually same for anything you do to it other than cleaning. Only you know how important  it is to you and if you want a non-functional (due to safety) lamp or functional and beautiful  for you home.

Kim · Answer

DO NOT PAINT THIS LAMP.  Like the poster above, you could completely destroy the value and heritage of this lamp.   I would take it to various Antique shops or Antique lamp shops and identify it first.  I would not attempt to re-wire it with a cheap re-wiring kit from ACE, Walmart or the like.  If it is truly an early 1900's glass lamp then it needs to be re-wired with replica vintage parts and wiring.

Hazel mckinney · Answer

Never would I take away the beauty of this lamp but what you don't see is the stem part of the lamp is all scratched up.that's the only part that's getting redone ,besides wiring

Marlene Wilson · Answer

What a wonderful lamp,the first one I ever saw like this.Please don't paint it .

Rosie Walsh · Answer

What a gem. The fittings between glass sections may be brass, as well as the center rod. I'd suggest taking it apart, cleaning the glass, then testing the metal by using fine steel wool. That will be a good start. There's a good variety of metallic paints on the market. Think you'd want to paint with a good quality primer for metal first. Would love to see the 'after' pics.

Rosie Walsh · Answer

Hazel - maybe consider redoing in gold leaf! There are many shades of gold leaf available now.

Linda Fraser · Answer

How do you make the holes in the glass?

Hazel mckinney · Answer

The lamp I posted about a year ago has been redone hope you all like the results. Now comes with wiring and finding the right shade for it

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