Featured Interesting old (bronze?) lamps - but what are they?

Hi all.

This is my first post, and I'm hoping that someone out there can help me to learn more about my pair of heavy (bronze?) lamps. I purchased the pair at auction in Toronto about 30 years ago, and have used them ever since. I've had no success identifying anything about them.

The lamps are VERY heavy. The shades are rolled metal, but fairly light. The finials appear to be original to the lamps. The plugs are brown and dome-shaped - not sure of the material (maybe bakelite?).

I can't find any markings on the lamps. On the underside of the base is green felt, but not sure if I should lift it to look for markings.

My gut is telling me these are from the 1920's, but I could be completely off base. Can anyone help shed some light (ha ha) on them for me?

 

I would have no qualms about lifting the felt on base to look for clues. Even if it shreds and can't be re-glued back neatly, the uneven cutting on the edges indicates it was probably an after-market addition.
Good looking lamps!

 

Thanks, Sandra. I've taken the felt off, and other than a few revolting insect bits and pieces, nothing to see. So still a mystery.

 

I don't know how to do it myself, but did you try a "google image search"?

 

Yes, in fact that's where I started. BTW - it's easy - just type in your query as you normally would to look for information, then click Images, which is just to the right of "All" under the search bar.

 

Looks a bit like an acanthus leaf. Popular motif at the beginning of the 20th century. It's hard for me to absorb, sometimes, that I've lived in two different centuries.

 

Welcome to the forum mcburja.
Very nice lamps.

I think we need an entymologist to help date those.

 

I get more of a 40s-50s vibe from these. A look at the plug might help to date. Will probably never find out who made them if not marked. That harp (half harp?) is unusual so could be an identifying feature. Would think these higher end designer, as opposed to off-the-shelf department store.

 

Think of it, Bev. To qualify for living in "two different centuries" a person born in 1999 and still alive today can say the same thing.

I'm guessing you were born in 1999 and didn't realize when you "made your appearance" and took that first deep "breath of life" that you would be living in two centuries.

 

So now I get the chance to clean behind the buffet - probably not a bad thing. I've unplugged and here are some photos. It's a bit hard to make out, but there appears to be some sort of acanthus leaf motif on the plug - kind of interesting!

 

Looks 30's to me. Im betting these had glass shades at some point. Love them.

 

That plug is earlier so maybe 30s is about right. The wiring is 50s or later but they could have been rewired using the original plugs. There is also the possibility that some older plugs were used when rewired. Also, based on the plastic turn knob, the socket is newer than that plug as well.

 

Welcome!

 

Very chic.

Debora

 

That plug should have a paper or plastic barrier closing it up....so a re-wire is likely !

 

Seems there repro's are available....but yours looks like the original bakelite.

 

So interesting.

If they are original, would that point to a particular time period?

 

I'm with Brad , thinking 30's....give or take ten years......but it's not my area of expertise...