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Buying antique and vintage lighting can be like buying a classic car. You may get a inexpensive light that needs substantial work and money invested into it or you may pay more for a classic original or restored gem. Either way, you have to inspect them closely, ask a lot of questions if necessary and do your homework.
Like any other industry, there are a lot of unscrupulous dealers that say something is perfect when it is clearly not. From issues with poor or old wiring, condition, missing or broken pieces, the list goes on and we've seen it all. If you are buying them "as is" for a restoration project its not a problem as they will be dealt with when restored. But if you are spending good money on a light that is supposed to be ready to hang or plug in, here are the things to look for.
Wiring and Sockets
This is one of the most important things to look for. If there is original cloth covered wire, speaker wire (not joking) burn marks on the wire or thin gauge wiring you will definitely need to have the light rewired to modern standards. In Canada most electricians will not install them unless they rewired and certified (which we do) with either a CSA or UL sticker. Same goes for the sockets. If they are old brass shelled sockets, check the liners for wear and burning which is common. They will have to be replaced as well. It's not that it's a bad light, it just needs to be updated for modern use. You might get a better deal if you address these issues with the seller. If not, reconsider your purchase.
Condition
Check the over all condition of the light and look for missing pieces such as castings, screws, ceiling canopies and associated parts. If the light is spun brass, check for metal fatigue (looks like cracks) on the center body or arms. If the light is white metal or pot metal, be very careful to check for damage as it is expensive to repair or replace castings. Also check to see if it has the proper mounting hardware, ceiling cap (that covers an electrical box) and, is there are glass shades, check for any cracks or large chips that will affect its integrity.
Finish
A lot of lights have been refinished which often gives them new life and can enhance their appeal. If they have been polished ask if they were lacquered or waxed too. There's nothing worse than having to polish a chandelier every few years and lacquering will prevent that. Original finishes have an interest and charm all their own and if they are in great shape best to leave them as is. You will know an original finish as it has developed a patina and wear congruent with their vintage. As for plated lights, they are as they are and re plating them is becoming a challenging option as time goes on. And.... if you find a light that has been painted black, white or radiator gold as is being passed as original......pass.
Glass
There were lots of different glass shades, panels and inserts made for lights and its important that they are all there and in good condition if you are paying a premium for that light. Dealers will often say “ its easy to replace” or “not a big deal to find one” or “just turn the crack to the back” in order to make the sale. IT'S NOT. Old glass is one of the biggest challenges if you are just getting into this and unless you have a network of dealers and shops to help you, it is very expensive and time consuming to replace. If the light has a set of shades, make sure they all match and check for cracks. Small chips around the fitter are fine and if the shades look new...ask. Nothing wrong with reproduction shades if the quality is good but the dealer should disclose that. Coloured glass panels can be challenging to replace and if they are curved they are expensive to have remade. And if an 1930s Art Deco slip shade light is missing a shade......pass.
European Lights
I could write a book on these but I will keep it short. If you are on vacation buy one overseas ...... don't be surprised that it won't work here even though they say it will. The UK and Europe work on 220v systems and they have different wiring and installation requirements then in North America. Be prepared to have it rewired and know that it will be more expensive than a standard North American fixture. When we rewire them (which we do often) we have to change their metric components to Imperial (fit sockets, mounting hardware etc) and run our North American wiring through the (often) narrow wire ways. It can all be done but keep the above in mind when you want a souvenir to light up your dining room.
Final Words
This isn't meant to be a deterrent but instead an education in what to look for and how to go about buying a really cool antique or vintage light. If there are issues with them that you see and they don't disclose you know to either walk away or haggle on the price to get a better deal. At the end of the day no body likes being taken advantage of or being lied to. We've been in business for almost 50 years because we believe in honesty and transparency. When a light leaves our shop, we want our customers to be excited by it and love it.
