Antique Table Lamps

The Value of an Antique Table Lamp   

The antique table lamp may be an important piece, if it meets the criteria for historical and monetary value set by dealers and experts. You can determine an old lamps value by following the guidelines set by the pros and adding up the scores of the lamp. All you need to do this is to have a magnifying glass.   

Directions: 

1. Check to see if there is a bulb in the lamp, and plug the lamp into the electrical outlet. See if it actually turns on. Highly collectible lamps like the stained glass pieces made by Tiffany will be worth a lot less if they don’t illuminate. If the lamp actually works, it’s a big plus.  
2. Inspect the lamp for any sign of hardware repair. Lamps with less value will have signs that let you know if it was repaired. Look for things like a modern switch, a shiny bright harp, a more recent Underwriters Laboratories sticker placed on the receptacle, etc. Valuable lamps are intact with their original parts. The majority of the parts will be dull or oxidized by time. There won’t be any plastic on the lamp. The buttons and knobs will be produced from Bakelite, brass or wood.  
3. If the shade is made from fabric, pinch it between your index finger and thumb and feel it. If it is brittle or has a greasy feeling when you touch it, it could be old. If the shade’s material is soft and fresh, it may not be old. If a shade is very white, of course it is newer.  If the shade is nearly tea colored, then it may be a genuine antique. If the lamp shade has a musty smell, it’s aged; if it smells fresh, it is probably new. In stained glass lamps, if one piece has an odd color that doesn’t match the rest of the shade’s pieces, then that section was probably replaced. If a piece is missing, has been cracked, repaired or replaced, this unoriginal aspect of the lamp will drastically lower the value.  
4. Check the column and base of ceramic table lamps with a magnifying glass.  Check for hairline cracks and signs that the accessory has been damaged and glued together again. Signs of repair lower the value of the lamp regardless of how well the repair was done. Paint touch ups will also reduce the value.  
5. If there is felt or pressboard covering the lamp base, peel it back. Make sure you don’t tear it. See if there are any lamp manufacturer markings, like brands on wooden bases and raised lettering inside cast metal bases. Get a close-up picture of whatever you find. Then put the felt cover back in its former position.  
6. Go online and do a search on the manufacturer and the history of it and the lamp design. Some lamp manufacturers are more collectible, like Tiffany.  
7. Also look at antique forums online and antique guides and books for up to date market estimates for the manufacturer, year and type of lamp. Use the guides to compare the valuations of identical lamps to your lamp.  

Antiques are items that are 100 years old or more. Vintage items are less than 100 years old. Collectible items can be antique or vintage and even some recent items. Table lamps that have a pedigree that can be proven like being owned by a historical figure will always have an added value. You have to have photographic proof as well as verbal testimony that the lamp belonged to the person.  

Signs of repair like glued cracks and paint touch ups are a warning. This is a piece that was gamed by a seller at some point. If you weren’t told about the repairs when you purchased the lamp, you have been fooled by an unethical seller. You probably paid too much for the lamp also. Return the piece to the seller and demand that they give you a refund. A dealer with experience knows his pieces in detail so you shouldn’t have a problem in getting a refund.