Rejuvenation Antique Lighting

Chain Pendant w/Blue Quilted Mercury Glass Shade, c1925

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

"Mercury glass" is a term for interior-silvered double-walled glass that has been sealed to protect the mirror finish from scrapes and scratches. The quilting pattern in the glass helps to diffuse the light, and the blue tint is an attempt to better approximate the color of sunlight - much like full-spectrum bulbs today. Gorgeous and hard to find, this example has a lovely soft patina that complements the aged brass chain pendant. Finish: Waxed original.

2-1/4" Satin Cased Decorative Shade w/Paint, c1920

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

Larger decorative 2-1/4" shades, were common in the 1920s as charming accents on bedroom pendants, adding flair in hallways or staircases, or fitted to floor lamps used for the era's most popular pastime - Bridge. This example features a layer of clear satin glass over a layer of white glass - called "casing" - to soften and diffuse the bulb's glare. A ribbon and reed motif around the rim has been highlighted in dark gold and blue. [R0720]

Late Arts & Crafts Pan Chandelier w/Quezal Shades, c1915

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

If you have one of those "transitional" homes of the 1910s or 1920s that mix touches of Colonial Revival, Old English, and Arts & Crafts, this special light fixture might be just for you. The bold yet restrained forms of the central pan spinnings ground this design in formal tradition, yet the hand-formed arm brackets with their very distinctive English oak leaf motif evoke more rustic and romantic themes. To complete this striking marriage of elegance and elan, we've fitted this fixture with a stunning set of three hand-blown Quezal pulled-feather shades in gorgeous gold-and-white glass. This is a special one, waiting for a special place. [R0704] Note: This fixture did have a small dent in the center that has been pushed out, and the repair is barely noticeable - "character" it is often called in the business.

Brass Chain Pendant w/Fabulous Mirrored Shade, c1920

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

As old fixtures go, this one is about as basic as they come - a simple, solid-brass chain pendant with a 3-1/4" fitter. However, it is the awesome shade hanging on that fitter that sets this example apart from the crowd. Featuring an unusual 8-sided form, this rare mirrored reflector possesses the distinctive personality, gentle patina and charmingly worn silvered surface that is alchemy for aficionados of "industrial" lighting.[R0696 ]

Adorably Petite Mercury Glass Pendant, c1905 (3 Av.)

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

"Mercury glass" is a term for interior-silvered double-walled glass that has been sealed to protect the mirror finish from scrapes and scratches. The quilting pattern in the glass helps to diffuse the light, and the blue tint is an attempt to better approximate the color of sunlight - much like full-spectrum bulbs today. An original Bryant socket hangs on new black cloth-covered twisted cord to create a vehicle for these stunning double-walled glass shade. [R0695 ]

Mission 2-Light Fixture w/Green Cone Shades, c1915

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

A humble and hard-working classic of its day, this simple 2-arm Mission fixture hung in more homes than can be counted today, especially those ubiquitous bungalows and foursquares of the 1910s. With our different expectations for light and decor, we often tend to restore missing fixtures in old homes with new ones that are much more decorative and elaborate than those originally selected. If you have a 1910s house, there is a good chance that a fixture just like this one hung in a kitchen, entryway, stairwell, bedroom, or even small living room or dining room. [R0694 ]

Colonial 2-Light Wall Sconce w/Cool Pull Chains, c1925

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

The 1920s were the peak of the Colonial Revival era, and two-arm candle sconces like this example were the bread and butter of the lighting world, being used in living rooms, dining rooms and even bedrooms to maximize style, quaintness, and light. In fact, the elegant lines and comfortable familiarity of Colonial Revival lighting made it the most popular style for most of the century. With so much Colonial lighting out there, it is the small details that make a statement, and in this case the fun is found in the utterly charming tassel-like drops at the ends of the pull chains. [R0692 ]

Heavy Bronze Subway Fixtures w/Original Patina, c1920(4 Av.)

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

Heavily cast from solid bronze, these durable fixtures were purportedly removed from the New York subway system. Simple and direct. These small flush-mount fixtures would make a great statement in a line above a bar, for example. [R0715] Notes: Mounting is achieved directly to the ceiling using the four screw holes in backplate - screws not provided.

Pair of Revival-Style Single Bulb Sconces by Riddle, c1927

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

Richly polychromed exposed-bulb sconces with romantic and vaguely historical decorative motifs like this set were popular from the late-1920s through the 1930s, often appearing above a sideboard in the dining room or flanking a fireplace in the living room. Evocative yet adaptable to a wide range of styles, from Colonial to Mediterranean, these fixtures are a complement to any number of period interiors. Our examples were made by Edward Riddle Co., of Toledo, Ohio, one of the most widely distributed manufacturers of affordable cast white-metal fixtures like these. [R0675]

Awesome Two-Tone Porcelain Sconce w/Black Lines, c1935

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

You might have to look twice to notice that this classic porcelain wall sconce isn't just another white example of a common type - it is actually a much more lovely and subtle soft green color, with white accent bands and sharp black pin striping. This fixture is from the era when color was coming into the bathroom in a big way - tiles, toilets, sinks, tubs, and even towel bars sported rich tones, and a fixture like this one made a perfect complement. [R0674]

Mottled Copper 2-Light Pendant w/Opalescent Shades, c1905

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

A rare survivor from late in the era of carbon-filament bulbs and artistic metal finishes, this 2-light charmer has wonderful transitional character that makes lighting of the early 1900s so interesting. Elegant arms terminating in delicately scrolled ornamental armbacks gracefully complement the classic stick-and-ball body, and the original oxidized or mottled copper finish is truly captivating. Vintage opalescent shades with a subtle ribbed surface and bold ruffles complete the ensemble. [R0673]

Classic Deco 5-Light Chandelier w/Amber Shades, c1930

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

This classic shaded light chandelier was part of the Beverly Group marketed by Sears in their 1934 Hi-Glo line of fixtures. "One of Our Most Popular Designs" they said. "They went on to state that "The golden amber tinted glass pockets give a softly diffused, restful glow of light that is reflected, free from glare, from any light-colored ceiling." Note the small rotary switch installed at the bottom for easy access to on and off. [R0658] "Shaded lights" were the hot trend from about 1930 through 1935, before Streamline style and cup-shade fixtures moved center stage. Inspired by French examples and featuring individual glass slip or slipper shades at each light bulb that were typically unique to specific body designs, these fixtures generally offer direct illumination of the ceiling above while casting a warm and intimate light on the area below - often a living room or a dining room table. These fixtures were usually designed in named families or series, with a range of different lengths, lights, colors and applications available.

Outstanding Art Deco 6-Light Chandelier, c1930

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

Though we don't have documentation of this fixture, we do know that the distinctive sunburst-type finial used on it was also used on several fixtures from the Mid-West Chandelier Company of Kansas City, Missouri - one of the most respected names in shaded lights. This example is especially desirable due to the less common center light and dish shade on the bottom. "Shaded lights" were the hot trend from about 1930 through 1935, before Streamline style and cup-shade fixtures moved center stage. Inspired by French examples and featuring individual glass slip or slipper shades at each light bulb that were typically unique to specific body designs, these fixtures generally offer direct illumination of the ceiling above while casting a warm and intimate light on the area below - often a living room or a dining room table. These fixtures were usually designed in named families or series, with a range of different lengths, lights, colors and applications available. [R0657]

Beautiful Virden "Fleuray" Slipper Shade Pendant, c1930

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

This 3-light V-133 pendant from J.C. Virden of Clevelend, Ohio is about as lovely as Art Deco slipper shade fixtures get, with an intricately cast body design and jazzy chevron-shaped shades sporting stylized flowers in the style of Consolidated Glass (which was itself a copy of French glass where this style was born - thus the faux-French character of the series name). One of these fixtures originally cost $10.95. The warm amber shades give a gentle and intimate light. This gorgeous pendant in Bank Bronze with honey glass would be right at home in the dining room, living room or large bedroom of a Depression-era home or a modern interior. "Shaded lights" were the hot trend from about 1930 through 1935, before Streamline style and cup-shade fixtures moved center stage. Inspired by French examples and featuring individual glass slip or slipper shades at each light bulb that were typically unique to specific body designs, these fixtures generally offer direct illumination of the ceiling above while casting a warm and intimate light on the area below - often a living room or a dining room table. These fixtures were usually designed in named families or series, with a range of different lengths, lights, colors and applications available. [R0655]

Silver & Gold 7-Light "Ambassador" Deco Semi-Flush, c1934

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:00:00 PST

"In Tune with the Modern Trend. Here is a design that harmonizes with the average home of today," states Sears about their Ambassador series in their 1936 Lightmaster catalog of residential lighting. This fixture, model 20 N 5856, would probably have been considered Empire by the style mavens of the day. While Sears generally contracted with independent lighting manufacturers for their distributed lines - some were sold by many different dealers - this line is noted as being "Sold exclusively by Sears." "Shaded lights" were the hot trend from about 1930 through 1935, before Streamline style and cup-shade fixtures moved center stage. Inspired by French examples and featuring individual glass slip or slipper shades at each light bulb that were typically unique to specific body designs, these fixtures generally offer direct illumination of the ceiling above while casting a warm and intimate light on the area below - often a living room or a dining room table. These fixtures were usually designed in named families or series, with a range of different lengths, lights, colors and applications available. [R0653]