Vintage Lamps - Lamping It Up

Vintage lamps are very popular and are widely used in modern interior design. They can offer something a little different from the mass produced items available in stores. They are also ideal if you would like something unique but can't afford modern designer prices. Vintage lamps can be very beautiful and also have the benefit of being a lesser price than the higher end antique lamps.

Using Vintage Lamps in Home Designs.

Vintage lamps have two main functions. Firstly they are practical sources of light for your home that can be used to create soft and cosy lighting effects. Secondly vintage lamps can offer a stunning decorative feature for your interior. There are many different styles and designs of lamps available which can provide centrepieces and design highlights. There will be plenty of choice available and you should be able to find a number of suitable lamps in your price range.

What are Vintage Lamps?

A lamp is considered to be vintage if it is anywhere between 40 and 80 years old. Antique lamps, by contrast, must be a minimum of 100 years old. It can be difficult dating vintage lamps and prices can vary dramatically depending on factors such as:

• Designer

• Age

• Rarity

• Condition

• Colour and Pattern

• Aesthetic Value

Art Deco Lamps.

There are several very important design genres when it comes to vintage lamps. Perhaps the best known is Art Deco. This was a very popular period in design history (from 1920's through to the 1930's) and remains very collectible to this day. Art Deco lamps in mint condition can fetch good prices at auction and in dealer's shops. The popularity of Art Deco pieces has ensured that prices have remained stable for the last few years. This means that buying Art Deco lamps for your home will not only provide you with a great decorative feature but will also be an investment for the future.

The Art Deco style is very much about clean, flowing lines and bold stylistic statements. Marble, dark wood and brass are commonly used in these lamp designs and popular colours are red, gold, black and white. The Art Deco style is very distinctive but has also has a classic feel which makes it very easy to incorporate into other design schemes. This means that lamps from this period can fit well into many different types of interiors from traditional family homes through to ultra-modern city apartments.

Anglepoise - Mad Men and English Men.

Although it is not as well-known as Art Deco another important vintage lamp design is Anglepoise. This style of lamp has been referred to as a design 'icon' which exemplifies the ingenuity and production excellence of a British designer.

The Anglepoise lamp was designed in 1932 by George Carwardine. These lamps are such a familiar shape that many may find it strange to think they are now highly collectible. As with many fashionable designs their popularity waned after a few years. During the 1980's and 1990's many were discarded because they were seen merely as 'old or 'used'. However the quality and integrity of the design has ensured that Anglepoise lamps have made the successful transition from old to vintage. Authentic designs in good condition now change hands for hundreds of dollars and are enjoying something of a renaissance.

When it comes to buying and selling Anglepoise lamps authenticity is very important. Many vintage lamps are restored back to their original condition or given extra polish with a shiny chrome finish. However it seems collectors are much more interested in lamps that show their age and history. Here are some essential buying tips if you are thinking of investing in Anglepoise Lamps:

• Authentic Shades - these lamps were originally produced in black, cream, red and canary yellow. The authentic shades are more collectible and they should still have the original rough 'stone enamel' finish.

• Springs - the springs that allow the lamp to rotate can rust over time. This will prevent lamps moving properly. Check that the springs are original and free from rust before you buy.

• Generic Name - lamps that use a similar design to the original Anglepoise are often referred to under the same name. You will have to be careful to make sure you are buying an original and authentic Anglepoise lamp.

• Top Buys - currently the most sought after of all the designs from Anglepoise are the 1934 '1227' series. These have a slightly larger shade than the original design and a three-tiered base. A mint condition 1227 series lamp can cost several hundred dollars and one in rough condition can still sell for around $150.

Vintage lamps can offer an affordable way to bring design excellence into your home. The classic lines and varied design appeal can provide you some very special features and centrepieces for your interior designs.

Maurice Robertson, principal of The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co, has had a lifetime's association with antique porcelain and pottery. He has extended his ceramics expertise into the quality table lamps seen on the company's site, he is well known to local and international interior designers who have included many of his table lamps in their projects and has also supplied items of national interest to the official Sydney residence of the Australian Prime Minister.

The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co specialise in antique lamps with an exclusive on-line range of over 100 unique lamps. Lamps are shipped ready wired for the US, the UK and Australia.

For further information you are invited to visit their web site at -: http://www.antiquelampshop.com

© The Antique and Vintage Table Lamp Co 2011

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