Vintage lighting?

[Nick&Lou]

Can anyone offer any help on these light fittings? Antique possibly? I’m not sure where to start in finding out about them. I have several of these with 5, 6. & 8 light fittings.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[LadyArowana]

My first course of action would be to check if solid brass or plated. A quick visit with a magnet will reveal that, as the brass will be non reactive. Old ones are more likely to be solid brass, having said that they don’t look *that* old and the fact you have several same same but different makes me think later repro, but that’s honestly just a guess. If they still have any of the old wiring that may also hint at age as the old wiring system was black red and green or yellow+green vs modern blue brown and yellow+green

Also replacements can be wickedly expensive for not great quality, so if you like them keep them, easy enough to get them rewired and tested if you aren’t 100% competent to DIY the job

 

[Cubist]

@LadyArowana s advice is spot on and all I could add would be to test the weight in your hand. Plated would be much lighter than solid brass. Also, you might take a close look around the interior of the central pendant - it may screw off - to see if there are any makers marks or details. In addition you might check to see if there is a hard lacquer finish over the brass, you may be able to find chips in it near bulb fittings behind the glass pendants or the edges of these. If its just a thin film they are likely modern pieces if fairly thick and obvious then older and probably antique.

 

[Nick&Lou]

My first course of action would be to check if solid brass or plated. A quick visit with a magnet will reveal that, as the brass will be non reactive. Old ones are more likely to be solid brass, having said that they don’t look *that* old and the fact you have several same same but different makes me think later repro, but that’s honestly just a guess. If they still have any of the old wiring that may also hint at age as the old wiring system was black red and green or yellow+green vs modern blue brown and yellow+green

Also replacements can be wickedly expensive for not great quality, so if you like them keep them, easy enough to get them rewired and tested if you aren’t 100% competent to DIY the job

Thanks very much for your reply. I’ll try the magnet and check out the wiring. Do you know how to physically get them valued?

 

[Nick&Lou]

@LadyArowana s advice is spot on and all I could add would be to test the weight in your hand. Plated would be much lighter than solid brass. Also, you might take a close look around the interior of the central pendant - it may screw off - to see if there are any makers marks or details. In addition you might check to see if there is a hard lacquer finish over the brass, you may be able to find chips in it near bulb fittings behind the glass pendants or the edges of these. If it’s just a thin film they are likely modern pieces if fairly thick and obvious then older and probably antique.

Thank you for taking the time! I’ll look for markings.