hello

hello. i'm interested in learning more about stiffel lamps, specifically whether to remove the factory "antiqued" finish from the lamps. i prefer the luster of plain polished brass. i did remove the antique finish from one of them with brasso and 0000 steel wool (and a lot of elbow grease). i sprayed with a lacquer finish. i have picked up 4 lamps all for under $25. one set was only $15. i love them and will continue to buy them at those prices. i would like to resell some of them but don't know if removing the "antique" applied finish on them reduces the value. i don't plan on getting rich selling stiffel, lol, but don't want to devalue them either. any suggestions or help appreciated.
fyi...i'm lazy and don't capitalize
cheryl

 

Hi @c.a.t. and WELCOME to ANTIQUERS!! I can't speak to what you're doing with the lamps.....could you post a couple of images and show us what you're doing??

 

sure...it takes a bit for my photos to upload to computer.

 

this is an example of the "antiqued" finish i don't like.

 

tried to upload a second photo and it says file to large. very frustrating

 

@c.a.t., If doing from a phone, try emailing to yourself AS MEDIUM....that should reduce them enough to be UNDER the 1MB max size allowed here!! If on the computer...here are more options....
Hope they help you....(and not to worry, most new members deal with the same frustrations the first couple of times....gets WAAAAY easier!!!)

For Future reference, when posting images:

Each image MUST be UNDER 1 MB....
There are instructions on site here on how to reduce the size of your image, if that is the problem......you are allowed up to 8 images per post!!! Here are some links to the instructions:

If on the computer:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/posting-a-thread-and-uploading-pictures.15990/

If on an iPhone:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/resizing-photos-on-i-phone.35097/

And if on an Android phone:
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/using-an-android-phone-for-pics-on-antiquers.41709/

 

And, just my personal opinion, I think you'll be asking for a huge mess if you plan on trying to remove that antiquing finish, BUT PLEASE DO WAIT FOR OTHERS to come along with their thoughts!!! Looks like a very nice lamp at the moment!!!

 

Stiffel were expensive lamps in their day. They use to sell for more but like brown furniture have lost their popularity at least around here. Brass is not really the "in" thing. They may come back. My opinion is that you hurt the value by refinishing.

 

the first photo is the lamp i removed the finish. the second photo is the comparison. i'm sure you're right about hurting the value. on the other hand i really liked the lamp and will keep it. i just like the pale yellow brass finish.

the second photo is just a comparison.

 

they are in really good shape. i got both for $15. they do not have the shades. the only mark that they are stiffel is the sticker on the light bulb socket. cheap looking to me. anyway i know i won't get rich off selling them. i could keep them and wait for the market to return to brass but i don't think i have that many years, lol, i'm 63. i love the turn switch on the lamp bases.

 

thanks for your response and help with photos.....

 

Wow!! Have to say you did a lovely job on removing the antiquing, and have to say it DOES look very nice!!! HAHA! Good for you! I've got a few more years on you, so I'd not be up for that game, but well done!! And hope you don't mind, but enlarged your comparison image....members do appreciate good, and good sized images!!

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if you tell me how, lol. i have no idea how you got them enlarged but it looks
a-mazing!!