Antique Lamps for Sale: What to Check Before You Buy

Wiring and safety

• Cords: old fabric or rubber wiring is a hazard. A lamp offered for sale should be rewired.
• Socket and switch: they should meet the standard, with no sign of heat or blackening.
• Earthing: in a metal body, a proper earth connection keeps the metal from carrying voltage.

Glass and crystal

• Chips and cracks: check the shade rim and the points where glass meets metal, where most cracks start.
• Engraving: in engraved crystal, such as Czech crystal, the cut should be deep and even. Small wear is part of age; a crack is not.
• Matching shade: if a shade is missing or was replaced, make sure it matches in size and style.

Metal, patina and finish

Patina is part of an antique lamp's charm, but active rust or weak joints are not. Real brass does not attract a magnet and feels heavy. You can choose polished, darkened or antique brass, depending on taste and room.

Antique, vintage or retro

An antique is usually over a hundred years old, vintage is twenty to a hundred, and retro is a new design in an old style. Our shop is mostly twentieth-century vintage and antique: Art Deco, 1950s and 1960s, Czech crystal and brass. The difference is explained in the article on vintage, retro and antique lighting.

What the price includes

Every lamp here is checked and cleaned, and rewired where needed, before sale. Bulbs are not included. You can ask for changes such as length, shade or finish, and the customization article explains what is possible.

Why buy from someone who restores

Someone who restores the lamps knows them from the inside: what was replaced, what is original and what can be repaired if something happens. We have been in the Jaffa flea market since 1987; you can come to see the lamps or message us on WhatsApp.