Question 1

How do you identify an old lamp?

Accepted Answer

To identify an old lamp, first look for the maker's markings. You may find an etched or stamped marking or a paper or foil label on the base, socket, winding knob or neck of your lamp. By researching this marking using information published on trusted online resources, you may be able to determine who produced it. Another approach is to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer assist with the identification process. Explore a selection of antique and vintage floor lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 2

How old does a rug have to be to be an antique?

Accepted Answer

Opinions on how old a rug has to be to be considered antique vary. However, most experts will apply the label to any rug produced more than 100 years ago, and call floor coverings produced 50 to 100 years ago vintage. Shop a variety of antique rugs on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What old lamps are worth money?

Accepted Answer

Many old lamps may be worth money. Generally, the type, style, maker, age and condition influence the value of vintage and antique lamps. Lighting by certain makers tends to be collectible. Examples include lamps by Poul Henningsen, Holophane, Woka Lamps and Louis Comfort Tiffany and his company, Tiffany Studios. If you have an old lamp and want an estimate of its value, contact a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer. Find a large selection of lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 4

How do you identify an old floor lamp?

Accepted Answer

To identify an old floor lamp, first try to locate a maker's marking. Manufacturers typically mark floor lamps on the base, neck or socket. Once you've found a marking, you can use trusted online resources to learn more about the maker and your specific piece. Alternatively, you can have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer examine your lamp. On 1stDibs, explore a wide range of antique and vintage floor lamps.

Question 5

How can you tell how old a glass lamp is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old a glass lamp is, first look for markings that can help identify the name of the manufacturer. Many makers placed markings or labels on the bulb’s housing or the bases of the lamps they produced. By using trusted online resources, you can determine when the maker was active and estimate the age of the fixture. Certified appraisers can also be of assistance when trying to date lamps. Shop a range of glass lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 6

How can you tell how old a lamp is by the cord?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old a lamp is by the cord, look at the plug. Antique lamps and older vintage lamps will often have plugs with prongs that are the same size, while more recent fixtures will feature polarized plugs, which have one large prong and one small prong. Antique lamps often feature exposed wires or fabric covers on their cords. You'll usually find PVC or plastic covers on newer lamps. Keep in mind that older lamps may have been rewired over the years, so the cord isn't always a reliable way to date a lamp. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can examine your lamp and use multiple factors to determine its age. Find a large collection of lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 7

How do I fix an old table lamp?

Accepted Answer

To fix an old table lamp, take it to an appliance or lighting repair shop that has experience working with the type of fixture that you have. Many problems can cause an old table lamp to stop working. A professional can determine the cause and use the correct tools to address it. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage table lamps.

Question 8

How can I tell how old a lamp cord is?

Accepted Answer

A lamp cord is a pretty good indicator as to how old the lamp is. If the cord looks old, it most likely is. Also, the plug itself will have prongs that are the same size, compared with modern plugs that have one side larger than the other side. Shop a collection of antique lamps from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 9

What is an old-fashioned lamp called?

Accepted Answer

What you call an old-fashioned lamp depends on its design. Lamps with glass shades and hollow bases that get filled with oil are kerosene, oil or paraffin lamps. An oil lamp with two reservoirs is a cruise lamp, while one with a swinging arm is a student lamp. Shop a variety of antique, vintage and modern lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 10

How can you tell if an old lamp is valuable?

Accepted Answer

To tell if an old lamp is valuable, conduct research using trusted online resources. Start by determining who manufactured your lamp by looking for a maker's mark on the base or the bulb socket. Once you know who produced your lamp, you can look to see how much similar pieces have sold for in the past to get a rough idea of the potential value of your piece. Generally, the maker, age, style and condition of a lamp all impact its market value. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer can perform a valuation using these criteria and tell you how much your lamp is worth. On 1stDibs, find a large selection of lamps.

Question 11

How can you tell how old an antique chair is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old an antique chair is, you have a few options. One is to conduct research on your own using trusted online resources and print references from your local library. If your chair has a maker's mark, learning more about the company, artisan or workshop that produced it can be a good starting point. Dating unmarked chairs can be more difficult because certain styles remained in production for long periods. In this case, you may wish to have a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer evaluate your chair for you. Shop a wide range of antique chairs on 1stDibs.

Question 12

How can you tell how old an antique ring is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old an antique ring is, you have two main options. First, you can conduct online research using trusted sources. If you know the maker of the ring or the ring has a maker's mark that you can use to identify who produced it, learning more about the designer, artisan or company and their styles can help with the dating process. When the maker is unknown, you can familiarize yourself with the characteristics of various antique jewelry styles, such as Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian, to try and identify the period in which your ring was likely produced. The second option is to have a certified appraiser, experienced antique dealer or knowledgeable jeweler date your ring for you. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique rings.

Question 13

How old is furniture called antique?

Accepted Answer

How old furniture that is called antique can be is typically at least 100 years. People usually call furniture between 20 and 99 years old vintage. Contemporary is the word for furniture manufactured within the last 20 years. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.

Question 14

How can I tell how old my antique furniture is?

Accepted Answer

To tell how old your antique furniture is, research the maker using trusted online resources. You may find that the furniture maker was active for only a short period, giving you the ability to roughly estimate its age. For manufacturers and designers with a long history of production, consider the style of your furniture and look for images of similar pieces published online. Because it may be difficult to date furniture on your own, consider consulting a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of antique furniture.

Question 15

Are old antique clocks worth anything?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some old antique clocks may be worth something. Many collectors look for clocks produced by certain manufacturers, such as the Ansonia Clock Company, the Seth Thomas Clock Company, Jaeger-LeCoultre and the Chelsea Clock Company. In addition to the maker, the type, materials, style and condition of the clock influence its value. Generally, clocks that remain in good working order are worth more than those in need of repairs and restorations. To find out how much your clock may be worth, consult a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a large collection of antique clocks.

Question 16

How old must furniture be to be considered antique?

Accepted Answer

To be considered antique, furniture must usually be at least 100 years old. Contemporary is the name for furniture produced within the last 20 years. Vintage furniture is at least 20 years old. On 1stDibs, shop a diverse assortment of antique, vintage and contemporary furniture from some of the world's top sellers.

Question 17

What is an antique student lamp?

Accepted Answer

An antique student lamp is a desk lamp that features a tube-shaped stem and one or two arms. Each arm has its own shade. The design of the student lamp allows it to direct light downward onto a surface for reading. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of student lamps.

Question 18

How do I identify my antique lamp?

Accepted Answer

One of the simplest ways to identify an antique lamp is to look for markings that indicate the maker. Then, you can research the artisan or company that made the lamp using trusted online resources to see when they were active. Some antique lamps may have a date stamp on the shade or the bottom of the body of the lamp. Plugs can also provide a clue. Plugs on antique and vintage fixtures may feature exposed screws or prongs that are the same size. Prongs on newer lamps are usually two different sizes. Keep in mind that an antique lamp could have undergone a cord replacement, so what you see may not be an original. When in doubt, you can consult a certified appraiser or experienced antiques dealer for information about specific pieces. Shop a selection of antique lamps on 1stDibs.

Question 19

How do I know if my porcelain lamps are antique?

Accepted Answer

The best way to determine the age of porcelain lamps is to work with an appraiser. While some online resources can be helpful when you’re looking for information about the value of an item, the suggested value you find may not be the actual value of your item, since that will depend on a number of factors, including the shape it’s in. You’ll find expertly vetted porcelain lamps and other decor on 1stDibs.

Question 20

How do you identify an antique electric lamp?

Accepted Answer

To identify an antique electric lamp, check out the cord. Antique lamps will usually not have a vinyl or polymer cord cover. Instead, you can expect the wires to be exposed or covered with fabric. In addition, the prongs on antique plugs will be the same size. If your lamp has one small and one large prong, it's unlikely to be an antique. Keep in mind that some antique lamps may have been rewired, so you may wish to get an opinion from a certified appraiser or experienced antique dealer. On 1stDibs, find a selection of antique electric lamps.

Old Antique Lamp

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Art Deco Holophane Glass and Aged Brass Pendants, 1920s, Set of Two

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Early 20th Century Afghan Country Old Antique Lamp

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Old Paris Porcelain Lamp

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Old Mission Kopperkraft Boudoir Lamp

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Pair Old Cedar Column Lamps

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18th Century and Earlier Chinese Old Antique Lamp

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19thC OLD PARIS VASE AS LAMP

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Large old ceramic vessel lamp, China

18th Century and Earlier Italian Old Antique Lamp

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Early 20th Century American Old Antique Lamp

American 2 Arm Lamp with old Shades

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Pair of Old Tole Tea Canister Lamps

Late 19th Century European Old Antique Lamp

Lamp with Linen Shade, Old Brick Lamp, 19th Century Lamp with Linen Shade, Lamp

19th Century American Art Nouveau Old Antique Lamp

Art Nouveau Patina Green Mistress of Lights Double Globe Table Lamp

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Pair of Lamps, Marriage of Lamps, Pair of Old Clay Pots

1920s Chinese Old Antique Lamp

Old Chinese "Sang De Boeuf" Lamp, Ox Blood

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Pair Of Old Paris Vases Made Into Lamps

19th Century French Old Antique Lamp

Pair of Old Paris urns mounted as lamps

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Old Gas Meter Re-purposed as Table Lamp

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Old Paris Porcelain Vase Mounted as a Lamp

Early 20th Century European Industrial Old Antique Lamp

Old Copper Heat Lamp Converted, 1900s, Glazed Base Industrial Table Lamp

19th Century Old Antique Lamp