How do I wire an antique lamp?

Most antique lamps require rewiring to meet contemporary safety standards before use in a modern home. A professional electrician can thread modern flex through the existing central channel without altering the exterior carved wood. Where possible, internal brass fittings should be selected to complement the weight and period of the standard or table lamp.

Can I use modern lampshades?

Standard shade carriers and modern fittings fit most vintage Italian bases provided the harp or shade ring matches the bulb holder diameter. Simple silk or linen shades allow the ornate giltwood carving to remain the visual focal point. Oversized shades can destabilise tall floor lamps, so proportion the shade width to the footprint of the wooden base.

Are these pieces solid gold?

These lamps are carved from wood rather than cast in solid precious metal. The gold element consists of extremely thin sheets of gold leaf applied over a prepared gesso and bole ground. This technique provided the appearance of solid gold objects at a scale suitable for domestic furniture and lighting.