Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
A stunning Victorian-era brass banquet lamp featuring a cast metal scrollwork base and a classic ribbed milk glass 'tam-o-shanter' shade. This piece has been sympathetically converted to electricity, preserving its ornate oil-reservoir silhouette while making it functional for the modern home.
Story
Banquet lamps were the status symbols of the 1880s, designed to sit tall in the center of a dining table so guests could see across to one another. This lamp survived the transition from kerosene to the electric age.
Maker / Origin
While many were produced by companies like Bradley & Hubbard, these lamps represented the pinnacle of domestic lighting technology before Edison's bulb became standard. They were often sold in high-end catalogs as the centerpiece of a well-appointed Victorian parlor.
Condition & Value
The brass shows a lovely aged patina; the milk glass shade appears free of major chips. The conversion to electric is a common modification that slightly reduces 'purist' value but increases utility. Condition of the wiring should be checked for safety.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.