Can you rewire an antique brass chandelier?

Most dealers sell them already rewired to modern standards. It involves threading new flex through the hollow brass arms and replacing the bulb holders. Any qualified electrician can do the work. They will also add a modern earth connection to the metal frame for safety.

I have inherited this really heavy brass table lamp from my grandmother and the fabric wire looks very frayed and dangerous, is it safe to just plug it in and see if the bulb still works?

Don't plug it in. Old silk or cotton-braided flex degrades over decades, leaving the live wires exposed. Touching the brass frame when the insulation has perished carries a serious risk of electric shock. The lamp needs stripping down to the bare frame. The old wire must be pulled out of the central stem and replaced with modern, double-insulated cord. Many specialists retain the period look by using new flex covered in braided fabric. This keeps the aesthetic intact while bringing the safety up to current building regulations.

What wattage bulbs for Edwardian glass shades?

Antique glass shades were designed for early incandescent bulbs. These gave off a low level of light and relatively gentle heat. Don't use modern high-wattage bulbs. They easily crack old glass. The heat builds up inside enclosed or narrow shades and causes the material to fracture. LED bulbs are the safest choice. They run cool and mimic the warm glow of period lighting without putting the fragile glass gallery at risk.

We are renovating a hallway in our period house and looking at a copper lantern, but it has thick greenish marks all over the roof section, should we scrub that off or leave it?

That green oxidation is verdigris. It forms naturally on copper and brass when exposed to damp air over many decades. It is very common on hall lanterns and porch lights. Some buyers prefer the aged look and leave it exactly as found. A light dusting is often enough to keep the piece looking presentable. If you prefer bare metal, it can be cleaned off with weak acids and fine wire wool. Once stripped, the copper will need regular polishing to stop the green returning.

Home > Lighting > Edwardian Lighting > Page 9

Antique Edwardian Lighting

← Page 9 of 45 →

Antique Edwardian lighting marks the transition from gas to early electricity, featuring brass, glass, and silk fittings designed to cast a softer glow in early twentieth-century domestic interiors.