Dear Helaine and Joe: This lamp is approximately 120 years old, but we are not sure what kind it is. Also, what is its value? — F.S., Toledo, Ohio.
Dear F.S.: Right off the bat we need to say that this lamp is no where near 120 years old. But that in no way makes it less valuable or less interesting to collectors.
The first clue that it was not made in the 1880s is that it is an electric lamp. It is true that Edison invented the first incandescent light bulb in 1879, and the first plant designed to produce electricity for lighting purposes was up and running in 1881-82. But this kind of lamp was simply not available at that time.
This is a bent-glass panel lamp, which is a distinctive type of lamp that was most popular in the 1920s. They were generally made from panels of colored slag glass that were curved to fit into a decorative metal overlay that held the glass sections in place to form an umbrella shaped shade.
The lamp belonging to F.S. appears to have mottled white, blue and pink slag glass panels that have been placed above blue panels flecked with a bit of white. The upper portion would represent sky when the lamp was lit and the bottom portion would look like water. The metal overlay is configured to represent a landscape with trees, cattails, flowers and what appears to be a bridge spanning the water section.
It is a most attractive lamp, and in the photo it looks to be in good condition. It is hard to tell who the manufacturer might be, and F.S. should search the shade and base looking for some sort of signature or label that might identify the maker.
One name that will not be found, however, is Tiffany. That company did not make lamps like this one, but nine times out of 10 when we receive inquiries about a bent-glass panel lamp such as this one, they are referred to as being "Tiffany" — and that is incorrect 100 percent of the time.
There were a large number of makers producing this type of lamp in the 1920s and slightly before (they start appearing in company catalogs about 1914). Two of the leading manufacturers were Edward J. Miller & Co. of Meriden, Conn., and the H.J. Peters Co. of Chicago. But there were many, many more and an attribution to a specific company cannot be made without some sort of catalog reference, label or signature.
The value of bent-glass panel lamps depends on how fancy, attractive and rare the metal overlay happens to be, the overall condition, the diameter of the shade (bigger is better) and whether the lamp is attributable to a famous maker.The lamp belonging to F.S. has a very desirable scenic overlay and appears to have a 16-inch diameter shade. If it is in excellent condition with no cracked panels of glass, the insurance replacement value is between $1,500 and $1,800.
Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson are the authors of the Price It Yourself (HarperResource, $19.95). Questions can by mailed to them at P.O. Box 12208, Knoxville, TN 37912-0208.