Antique Lamp Consignment

Antique lamps are favorites among collectors, making them a popular consignment item. If you're wondering where to sell antique lamps, Fontaine's Auction Gallery is a top choice. We have more than 50 years of international experience and the market knowledge to help you get the best deal for your item.

Types of Antique Lamps and Lighting

Antique lamps encompass a large spectrum of materials and manufacturers. Some of the most common include:

• Tiffany lamps: Created by Louis Comfort Tiffany in the late 1800s, Tiffany lamps are known for their mosaic glass shades with nature-inspired motifs. The most popular designs include dragonflies, lilies, poppies and wisteria. Tiffany lamps are some of the most beloved and highly valued antique lamps on the market due to their exceptional craftsmanship and stunning appearance.
• Handel lamps: Also constructed during the late 1800s, Handel lamps created by Philip J. Handel were less expensive options than Tiffany lamps but with equal beauty and craftsmanship. Handel lamps are distinct for their reverse-painted shades that feature detailed, nature-based scenes.
• Banquet lamps: Sometimes referred to as "Gone With the Wind" lamps because of their prominent placement in the iconic 1940s movie, banquet lamps have upper and lower globes that are typically painted. Some prominent manufacturers of these types of lamps include Miller, Fostoria, Baccarat, Pairpoint and Bradley & Hubbard.
• Slag glass lamps: Also known as malachite or marble glass, slag glass is a type of pressed glass that is opaque and streaked. This type of lamp originated in 19th-century England, where manufacturers added slag to molten glass to create effects such as marbling and tortoiseshell.

Value of Antique Lamps and Lighting

Many different factors contribute to the value of an antique lamp, but the lamp maker is a prime indicator of quality. Authentic Tiffany lamps, for example, are some of the most valuable because of their expert craftsmanship.

Other elements that contribute to the value of antique lamps include:

• Rarity: If the lamp is rare — one of a small number in existence or a design not seen on other lamps of the same type — it will have a higher value.
• Aesthetics: A visually stunning lamp usually has precise individual elements that work together seamlessly for a well-balanced look.
• Desirability: Lamps from popular makers such as Tiffany are typically viewed as highly desirable to antique buyers, though market trends also affect desirability.
• Authenticity: Original, authentic lamps from desirable makers command a high value. If you have the documented ownership history of the lamp, also known as its provenance, you can trace its origins to determine if it is authentic. Some makers also had distinct markings that indicate the piece is an original, such as many Tiffany lamps signed with "TIFFANY STUDIOS NEW YORK" stamp and a model number.
• Condition: The closer the lamp is to its original, out-of-the-box condition, the more it is worth. Blemishes such as scratches, chips and missing pieces can diminish a lamp's value.

Recently Consigned and Sold Lamps

At Fontaine's Auction Gallery, we specialize in selling antique lamps at auction. You can request a free antique lamp appraisal by emailing us information and photos, submitting our auction estimate form or scheduling an in-person appointment with one of our specialists.

If you decide you want to consign with us, we will sign a formal agreement and hold your lamp at the gallery until the auction. If you have a large or heavy lamp or would simply like the assurance of expert handling, we can arrange transportation. When your lamp sells, we will handle shipping it to the buyer and disburse your earnings to you as soon as possible.

Browse some of our past auctions to see what types of lamps we typically sell. Tiffany, Handel and Pairpoint antique lamps consignment are often especially successful at auction.

What Makes Antique Lamps Popular?

Antique lamps are popular because of their striking appearance and craftsmanship. Many authentic antique lamps feature the finest materials. Tiffany lamps, for example, have tiny individual pieces of glass soldered together to create detailed motifs and geometric shapes, while Handel lamps feature reverse painting by hand to create intricate nature scenes.

An antique lamp is also more valuable and popular if it is authentic. Makers' marks are telltale signs of an original, and establishing provenance can also prove the item's authenticity.

Antique Lamps Consignment With Fontaine's Auction Gallery

If you're interested in consigning an antique lamp online, Fontaine's Auction Gallery can offer you expert auction services that will help you attain the highest value for your item. Whether you want to auction off your leaded glass lamps or consign a J.A. Whaley & Co. lamp at auction, we have the expertise to successfully sell your items.

Contact us today to find out more about consigning your antique lamp to us.