Restoring old Art Deco lamps

by Lynell Robertson
(Seattle Washington)

When you find a great old Art Deco lamp that has seen better days, and is missing its plug and cord, get it! They are easy to rewire, and a great way to restore authenticity and value, is to rewire using either a reproduction bakelite plug (safest) or an older one that is perfect, safe working condition. Get some new, reproduction rayon wrapped cord, and take an afternoon rewiring it. You may wonder if painting will decrease its value. I saw a resprayed "Frankart" lamp on Ebay a couple weeks back, that had been obviously redone, and it started out at nearly $700, opening bid. So,if your lamp is chipped and the old finish is shot and unattractive, with details rubbed out it's not going to be worth much until it is restored to its former beauty. Do some reading and studying, then print some pictures of lamps likes yours, before you begin. Take your time through the cleaning process. Use a gentle cleaner, preferably a mild solvent, like nail polish remover. Take your time, use a soft toothbrush and a gentle touch. Some of the older spelter pieces can be thin. Use a metal primer if you like. Then paint, using your research photos and your "Deco" imagination. On lesser known, unmarked pieces, such as "Nuart" or "Gift House" the pieces were usually one color, such as a "Roman Green" or black with a brown rub in the corners. Others that were lesser known, were usually painted in richer colors, such as bronze or gilt, with details picked out in an iridescent paint that has some saturated color to it. The lower end ones, were a little bit gaudy and maybe just a little bit decadent. Some of the best ones, like the gals who posed for the figurines, weren't perfect and that is their charm. Use a little bit of antiquing medium to bring back the patina, then spray with a very light application of pearlized spray. Add an "End of Day" shade in multi colored "Czech" glass or a "Brain" shade. Add a pretty little colored 25 watt bulb. My Dad just rewired one of my first Deco lamp purchases the other day, that had not worked in maybe 40 years or more. I cried!! It is a "Three Graces" and they now resemble the gals from the "Follies", which is what they were meant to do. Have fun, and send a photo when you are done. I would love to see your imagination at work.