Were these always electric lamps?

Most of these pieces began life as oil lamps, decorative vases or jars before being adapted for electricity. Conversion often took place in the twentieth century to accommodate modern domestic lighting. Original oil lamps retain burners and reservoirs, while converted vases show evidence of drilling at the base or foot to pass wiring through the ceramic body.

How do I identify a converted vase?

Converted vases usually display metal collars, ormolu mounts or threaded brass pipes running through the centre where a lamp fitting attaches. The original opening at the top of the vessel is sealed beneath a cap or burner assembly. Examining the underside reveals whether the base has been drilled for a cord or weighted with plaster to support the weight of the electrical hardware.

What periods do these lamps represent?

The selection spans from the seventeenth century through the Victorian era and into the early twentieth century. Nineteenth-century examples are the most common, featuring styles from Arts and Crafts to Art Nouveau. Earlier pieces typically consist of eighteenth-century Chinese or Delft vessels mounted and wired at a later date, combining historical ceramics with Victorian or Edwardian metalwork.

Are pairs common in antique lamps?

Matched pairs appear frequently among porcelain and earthenware examples, particularly those derived from Japanese Satsuma or Chinese Rose Medallion vases. These were often created as decorative garnitures before conversion. Single lamps also feature prominently, particularly where an individual oil lamp or unique figural ceramic survived without its counterpart.