1st let us define antique floor lamp. Of course a floor lamp typically rests upon the floor as opposed to resting upon a table, the wall or the ceiling. The common definition of an antique signifies something from a bygone era. This areas the term outdoors the legal arena and into prevalent usage. “era” is general perceived and is defined as a extended indefinite time period which also operates out perfectly for this general definition. This basic definition performs completely considering the fact that any identification of an “antique floor lamp” is relatively useless with out some time period designation typically in the type of circa 1905 which actually suggests “about the year 1905”. So I will use the term antique floor lamp on this basis and frequently substitute it with the term vintage floor lamp. This discussion does not address modern reproductions of antique lamps which is a further subject to itself.
Much more and much more people today are finding out to appreciate the quality and styling of antique floor lamps in particular as most of the ones being developed now are molded plastic and literally made to be thrown away. Most all floor lamp makers from the turn of the century made their lamps from heavy metals such as cast iron, brass, steel and cast zinc from time to time combined with marble, onyx, glass and stone. Our lamp shop regularly restores these antique floor lamps for resale as well as for our customers’ own use. From our 30 years of practical experience it is clear that lots of of these antique floor lamps will last for hundreds of years. The electrical elements, the fabric shades and the painted finishes often will need restoration but most have been made with such fine quality, that they are a much far better worth than brand new high end lamps that sell for several hundreds of dollars. You will obtain some other surprises about these collectible works of art below.
Higher quality, beauty and function were powerful influences on the makers of antique floor lamps. Several people are aware of their outstanding high-quality and beauty but totally surprised about the very developed functional and technical characteristics. There are far too numerous examples to list right here but I will mention a couple of the extra vital ones.
The brightest lamp that you can acquire currently in any store was created and produced circa 1920. It is also the most versatile lamp that you can purchase anyplace. Additional it will outlast most any modern day lamp that you can come across at any price. This antique floor lamp is identified by a a lot of names such as: six Way Floor Lamp, Reflector Floor Lamp, and “JUNIOR”. The design starts with a heavy metal base from time to time extremely decorated with an upright tubing leading up to a central electrical socket surrounded by three arm lights (four lights total). The central light requires a 3 way bulb (low-medium-high) that is generally a MOGUL size which is bigger than a common socket with larger wattage (one hundred-200-300 watts). The 3 arm lights are controlled by a switch that can turn on separately just 1, two or all three of the arm lights. Additional, numerous of these JUNIORS had a tiny light beneath the base which offered a pretty subtle evening time floor light operated by a foot switch mounted on the side of the base. As if this were not adequate, the central major socket is encased in a significant metal cup which holds a white waffle patterned glass bowl that reflects light upward to bounce of the ceiling. A fabric or silk shade (also referred to as JUNIOR shade) rests upon the glass reflector bowl to reflect light downward for reading. A single arm light can present a basic night light or at it brightest setting, it can light up an entire room. There is no brighter lamp or extra versatile lamp offered anyplace currently and it was developed and produced nearly 100 years ago!
A single of the ideal reading lamps in the planet was also developed circa 1920. It has been hugely imitated but it nevertheless remains unchallenged. The Bridge Arm Floor Lamp or Bridge Lamp has a standard floor lamp style with metal base and upright standard which can take the type of different forms of decorated tubing, twisted iron rods, and so on. At the prime of the common is a decorative cast metal arm with a graceful arc or curvature which ends with an electrical socket pointing downward and covered by a fabric or glass shade. www.bedsidelighting.co.uk has the effect of offsetting the light by about 14-18″ from the upright common at the identical time lowering it so that it is closer to the reading material or work project. The outcome is an great reading lamp or perform lamp which places the light bulb really near the process at hand. Several of these Bridge Arm Floor Lamps have convenient pull chains which hang beneath the bottom of the lamp shade for ease of operation.
Of course there are numerous other sorts of antique floor lamps such as torchiere, two light, curved arm, swing arm, etc. Even the oldest and most dilapidated of these effectively constructed heirlooms can be brought back to life with some scrubbing, sanding, painting, rewiring and occasionally soldering or welding.