Featured Vtg Cherry Amber Bakelite Table Lamp

Just picked this up.It's got a few missing feathers and some dings. I believe it represents a Chinese/Asian phoenix.
Total height-2 ft,Bakelite bird-10 1/2 inches,total weight-4.7 pounds.Translucent when backlit,bird reacts to Simichrome.Decided against testing with scalding water or hair dryer for formaldehyde.
Shade & plug replaced.
Here's some pics-

 

Sure looks good for cherry prystal bakelite.

 

Thanks Evely.I don't know much abt Bakelite,but even w/ some dings-can't say I've seen many Bakelite furnishings.
I'll just have to find a new shade,or maybe not-does this one look OK ?

 

nice shade , but hides the lamp on a low table.

 

Might consider it's a faturan carving rather than bakelite...

~Cheryl

 

Cheryl-I was considering using the term 'Faturan' but the exact accurate composition of true Faturan is still a bit of a mystery to me,and I wasn't sure if it was a marketing gimmick or not.
There are several of these phoenix figures (freestanding) I found online that call themselves Faturan.This piece does seem identical to them-it's damned intriguing.

Komo- Here's a better angle on the lamp,displays the sculpture OK,just wondering about color & pattern of the fabric ?
PS-I do think the shades silk,don't know if it's original though.I'm guessing the lamp base could be 30's thru 50's maybe ?

 

Faturan is possible, and the composition varies. I'd have to try baking soda on a swab and get a good whiff to be sure. Formaldehyde is unmistakeable.

 

Evely-Do you think the baking soda would damage the finish & do I mix the soda w/ warm water & swab it for the smell ? Thanks for the help.

 

I just dunk the q-tip in water and squeeze a bit. Dunk in baking soda and rub on the back/inside/whatever of a piece. Do it next to your nose if possible. Red doesn't always react, but the pong when it does is unmistakeable. The q-tip should turn yellow-brown. If it turns red, it ain't bakelite.

 

Did you see these? (New shades and poor choices.)

https://helenstoreyantiques.com/products/19th-century-pair-of-jade-nephrite-phoenix-lamps

Debora

 

Thanks Evely-My Q-tip turned brown 3 times (Pic#6 above).So maybe the moist baking soda swab will bring out the formaldehyde smell-i'll try it.

Thanks Debora,didn't see those.Mine def doesn't seem like Nephrite-but same form,great catch.

 

I like your shade..

 

looks stunning like that, shade close enough to bring out the colour of the phoenix yet not covering it

"all in the best possible taste" (leg cross)

 

I've never heard of Faturan, so learned my something new today! https://www.kombologia.com/the-trut... indicates that the,by the Belgian chemist Dr.

 

Thanks Komo & Charlie-The shade is pretty elegant.
A 1930's style opium den style shade would just be hamming it up a bit too much (tempting as 'over the top' always is).
....plus it might attract an unsavory crowd ?

 

Kentworld-Found a fair amount online about Faturan online,some seems apocraphyl some true.

 

Apocraphyl ............. ohhh, those $10 words !!!

 

nah, that shade would be perfect !!!!

and u could display your opium kit in front of it...

 

It would look pretty cool.

 

Oh that’s a killer lamp! Great score! I don’t love that the base is three different materials stacked but I can forgive it. Do make sure that you clean the spot you’re going to be testing before you do the q-tip tests. Often the first couple rubs you’re just rubbing off old dirt and grime and can think you’re seeing a positive reaction when it’s really just old dirt.