Light fixture,, French or what ??

[mart]

https://www.kovels.com/discussions/please-help-identify-this-lantern-chandelier.html

Need opinions on this one !!  KC,, you collect French antiques,, any ideas ??

[Rauville]

(Happy New Year everyone!)


To me, it appears to be a Victorian era kerosene "Pull Down Hall Lamp" that has been electrified. The pull down mechanism has been removed / modified as well. There was a smoke bell originally hanging from the ceiling plate where the chains are attached to now. Many of these lamps were American made by various manufacturers.

(Miller was one maker: http://www.edwardmillerkeroseneoillamps.com/millerhalllamps)

[mart]

I looked pretty closely Rauville and I did not see anything that made me think it had been converted !!  What did you see that I missed ??

[KC]

Is this a printed/painted metal?  Dimensions?

I also get the feeling that it is American made, early 1900's.  Definitely modified.  Cannot even begin to give a $$ value with all the modifications.

If you look at the "weight" "heaviness" of the metals used - the Victorian era used heavier/bulkier metals overall in the early part.  You see this style evolving more at the end of the times.

If you search "19thC Antique VICTORIAN Etched RUBY GLASS PANEL Pull Down OIL LAMP CHANDELIER" in Google search images you will see one that is a "Victorian" lamp similar to this style...but the metals are bulkier (notice the flourishes/hangers along the tops of the panels.)

Here is a full function pull down etched glass one at Live Auctioneers - still has lantern and smoke bell
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/56601103_polished-brass-and-etched-glass-victorian-hall-lamp

[cogar]

It is obvious that the four (4) chains it is hanging on and the brass colored ceiling medallion is not original.

I think it was originally designed to "hang" from the "loop" that you are thinking is the bottom.

Could have originally been electric ….. with a chain affixed to the loop and a lamp cord for power. 

"Vintage hanging lamp"

[Rauville]

I looked pretty closely Rauville and I did not see anything that made me think it had been converted !!  What did you see that I missed ??

If you look closely at the interior view, you will see the original chains that they are using to hold the base (that held the oil font) to the side of the frame. These chains would have extended through the top and over the pulleys in the ceiling plate and back down to the metal frame.

[KC]

I don't necessarily agree with you cogar on the loop on the bottom.  Many were made with decorative loops on the bottom because they were "pull down" lights and on pulleys!  Thus the need for something to hold onto to pull it down!

Here's one to show you

[cogar]

I know what you mean KC. I once owned a cranberry glass, pull-down oil lamp, … it was a “beauty”.

Similar to this, but not “hobnail”.
 


Anyway, you and some others are …. assuming, that the lamp in question is a modified oil lamp while I am assuming it is a vintage “chain hanging” plug-in electric lamp.

But, after looking again, …. I am WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, …… because the ”cherub” on Mart’s posted lamp says the “loop” is on the bottom.

[KC]

You're good cogar!  Make us stretch our brain cells.

I was basing the upside/downside by the cherubs/putti as well.