Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps
There is a huge market right now for collectible antique lamps and these functional decorative collectibles can brighten any home. If you’re looking for a collectible that is not only beautiful but also functional, antique lamps are the perfect answer. There are literally hundreds of thousands of these currently on the market and you should be able to find one that matches your tastes quite easily. Here’s a quick buying guide to get you started.
1. Does the lamp still work?
While this shouldn’t be a deal break since lamps are easy enough to repair, it is important to find out if the antique lamp is still in working condition. Remember, restoring or fixing an antique can impact its overall value, especially if you have to use brand new parts to get the job done. Ideally, an antique lamp should work, but you may want to have it checked out by a professional, depending on the age of the lamp, to make sure that it is safe to run in your home.
2. How old is the lamp?
This is a big issue when it comes to running the lamp on your standard house electricity. Some older antique lamps should probably only be used as decorative objects since they may be unsafe to plug in. Again, getting an expert opinion on this is probably necessary to make sure that you are dealing with a lamp that is safe to use as well as pretty to look at.
3. Does the lamp have any interesting history?
Antique lamps are great for conversation starters and it always helps to find out if there is an interesting history behind the lamp. This shouldn’t necessarily be something that would convince or keep you from buying, but it is information that is nice to have. In fact, in many cases, a lamp with a better history will actually be worth more money than one that does not have a known origin.
4. Is the cord in good condition?
We really can’t stress safety enough when it comes to antique lamps. Our other points covered whether the lamp still works, but you should also consider the state of the power cord before making your purchase. Antique lamps will commonly have older cords that may be frayed. These can easily be replaced, but doing so may lower the value of the lamp.
5. How many lamps of that type were made?
This is a question that any serious collector of antique lamps should ask. If you are looking for an investment in a collectible, it’s always important to find out just how many were made since this can greatly impact the overall value of the item, both real and perceived.
Antique lamps are a great collectible and many people prefer this type since they are actually quite useful in the home. Just remember to put safety first before purchasing and using an antique lamp in your home to avoid fire and electrical hazards.
Photo Credits: *clairity*
Originally posted 2008-09-14 14:00:47. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
How is Antique Pricing Figured? There are a variety of different ways that you can collect antiques, and one of the most important considerations in the antique collecting arena is antique pricing. Understanding how antique pricing is figured out is an important part of collecting antiques because it will influence how you purchase antiques and...... -
The Benefits of Antiques Insurance If you have a collection of antiques, collectibles or fine art, then you may find yourself wondering about insurance coverage, and how antiques insurance can possibly be used to cover your needs and ensure that your cherished items are protected. In general, antiques insurance is tricky because placing a value...... -
Collecting Antique Photography It may be difficult for you to understand why anyone would want to give away or to sell their family photographs, but just as there are people that are willing to sell their family photography, there are also people out there who are interested in buying up these old antique...... -
Antique Collection Some people falsely believe that the passion for accumulating a variety of antique treasures in an antique collection is an addiction, such as being a pack rat, but this is not actually true. The truth about going antiquing is that while it may be infectious, it is certainly not a...... -
Victorian Furniture Dealers -> Periods-Styles -> Victorian Though its peak popularity was during the late 19th century in America, Victorian furniture still holds quite an appeal for many people today. This style of furniture is distinguishable by the time period in which it was created and the methods that were used. The......
Related Websites -
How Does the Telephone Work? How the phone works is actually a work in progress. Technology is advancing at a rate faster than most of us can keep up with. The phone you buy today will be outdated before your upgrade time.Some of us are old enough to remember playing the inventor and taking...... - Hot Home Decorations by Sue Mayers Are you looking to add some spunk to your house? If so, then you have come to the right place as we are going to give you some interesting home decoration ideas that are easy to do. We are going to tell you how to choose everything......
- Country Home Decor Style by Gail Jones Your house is finally spick and span and you sit down and put your feet up for a minute with a nice cup of coffee by the side of you and you pick away at your muffin. You feel worn out but it's that good kind of......
-
Home Improvement Grants for Home Improvement Help If you are seeking out home improvement help, then one of the best things that you can do, at least on the financial side of things, is to get the home improvement help that you need by way of home improvement grants. If you are looking to sell your home...... - Bring Nature's Beauty to your Home Decor with Animal Print Rugs Area rugs create a warm and intimate look to your room; and can be quite economical in price. There are various kinds of rugs available in the market like Persian rugs that are an important part of the Iranian culture, beautifully designed, hand made rugs are well recognized for......
