A lamp - cast metal, art nouveau? arts & crafts? faux gooseneck

[Duer 157099]

Whole bunch-o-question marks on this one - it's got a gooseneck look and shape, but the neck doesn't actually bend. It looks like bronze to me, but what do I know and how could I tell? The design is floral but not too floral, so is that art nouveau, or arts & crafts, or either?

The plug of the lamp is the only real clue that tells me it's old-ish. Plus, it has a ceramic socket for the bulb - does that help date it?

I've looked everywhere for any letters, but when I look at cast metal, it's like looking at the surface of the moon - I can see anything I want to, including letters. But I can't seem to make anything inteligable out of any of them (if they even are letters) - what's the most likely place to look for writing?

I'll get photos up asap, but in the meantime, if you know anything (and I know you do!) post away... :D

(edit to add that photobucket is not playing well with me today or the photo would be up already - I know it's hard to comment without seeing what the hell I'm talking about, lol)

[Duer 157099]

1. Finally, photobucket is playing nice

Here's a photo:

[grasswire]

2. my opinion

Uneducated as it is, is that the plug is not original to the lamp. I'm judging this solely from the look of the metal between the gooseneck and the other piece of metal that has the turnscrews that would hold a glass shade. That part of metal looks old. Turn of the last century old, perhaps. And the cord/plug looks mid-century to me. The metal base is a conundrum, too. An authentic piece from nouveau or deco would have more finely detailed casting of the base, wouldn't you think?

[grasswire]

3. nouveau lamp, French, with original cord & plug

[Duer 157099]

5. Well look what I found

Your instincts are quite good! This lamp is identical in design, but somewhat more detailed. Not sure if that indicates mine could be a copy from a cast, or ? In any case, mine is certainly not iron as there's no hint of rust whatsoever, and there are areas where the metal is definitely bare (and no rust). Well at least this is a good clue. Except mine does not have the ID markings this one does. Hmmm..

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-ART-NOUVEAU-DESK-LAMP-R-B-Co-CAST-IRON-DECO-P-S_W0QQitemZ310059391052QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item310059391052&_trkparms=72%3A934%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Look at this side-by-side comparison:

[Duer 157099]

4. As it turns out, that piece of metal is the only one with writing on it

(the piece between the neck and glass holder) - on one side it says "I.W.I. 3100 Ser." and the other side has a patent number "3186736" (I think). I took both of those to relate to the electrical components :shrug:

It's funny you think the plug was replaced to a newer one; I was thinking that maybe it was replaced with an older one to make it look older, lol. But no doubt the current plug is mid-century or older.

The topside of the base is a bland sort of brownish color, but the underside has some nice evidence of rich patina, very deep burnt orange copperish color in patches. There are some areas where I can detect some green oxidation, so not sure if that's a sign of brass or bronze (since they both have copper).

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. Re: the patent number you found

http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=03186736&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect2%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsearch-bool.html%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPALL%2526S1%3D3186736.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F3186736%2526RS%3DPN%2F3186736&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page

[zabet]

6. Several styles of these art-nouveau lamps..

have been reproduced over the years.

[Whoa_Nelly]

7. It's an Art Nouveau reproduction desk lamp

These lamps made a comeback in popularity in the 1980s, were based on metal molds from the turn of the century (c. 1900), and continue to be popular today. The molds used to copy the original Art Nouveau designs, and using a lost wax, or cere perdue, casting in reproductions such as the one you have, always have a softer, less detailed look.

Rather than being touted as desk lamps during this comeback stage, these were called "accent lamps", and usually came with a lily shaped, often a soft-hued multi-colored or Tiffany style glass shade. These lamps have continued to be remain in the design field, but now have been improved upon by individual lamp designers and companies.

The plastic insulator piece on the outside of the base of the lamp where the cord comes out, the plug type, the inline switch, plus the wide winding look of the gooseneck indicates this lamp was made in the 1980s.
Small lamps, such as the one you have, were not always equipped with a polarized plug, but rather with a Universal plug, as these lamps do not carry high amperage.

The largest bulb you should use in that lamp should be no higher than 40w, but a 25w would be an even safer choice.

[Duer 157099]

9. Ah thanks for all the great info

Until recently I wouldn't have even thought twice about plugging in such an item, but when I was researching that tube radio I found, I learned enough about vintage electrical devices to now know that I've been very foolish indeed, lol.

So from now on, either I have it professionally rewired or it just gets to sit unplugged (or goes on ebay). In fact, I've even heard/read somewhere that the cords should really be cut - is this true, and what does that do to potential value I wonder

[Stinky The Clown]

10. I agree with the others here. Its a repro ......

.... the detail is too soft, the cord is wrong, and ceramic sockets are still common. but the metal's softness is the giveaway.