About Antiques Monroe Show
On the first Friday of every month, The Monroe Times will present a feature on the Life page detailing the history and value of one or more antiques.
Readers are asked to submit a photo of the antique they would like reviewed, or the antique itself when possible, by the last Friday of the month. Readers also should submit their name, phone number and address for verification purposes.
Other information requested of readers includes the name of the item and how it was acquired.
Eleanor Morstad, owner of Wildflower Antiques and Gifts, will then compile a history and description of the item. She may have to call the owner for information.
Morstad then will determine a value of the item based on her research.
The next Antiques Monroe Show will be on Feb. 1. Antiques to be considered for that feature will need to be submitted by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
The reviewer
Eleanor Morstad, owner of Wildflower Antiques and Collectibles of Monroe
The item
Gone With the Wind Lamp
The owner
Greg Gogin, Monroe
The acquisition
Lamp belonged to Greg's grandmother
The description
19 inches tall with a peach-shaded base and globe and hand-painted roses. Markings: Royal Pat. Apr 11, 1892. "Made in the US of America."
The history
The antique parlor lamp originated in the 1890s during the Victorian and Art Nouveau periods. During this time the Art Nouveau style influenced the design of many household items. Curving vines and flower motifs often decorated furniture, lamps and clocks.
The original parlor lamp was imported from Dresden, Germany. These lamps had beautiful hand-painted globes, usually flowers or sometimes outdoor scenes, animals or people. The base of the lamp usually was pierced metal with an embossed pineapple design and had four paw feet to support it. American companies started producing parlor lamps in the late 1800s. The American parlor lamp was a product of the Art Nouveau style or the "new art." This lamp also was known as the "decorative lamp."
The use of pastels, flowers and highly ornamental designs were used by many American manufacturers. Some of the popular designs of the American parlor lamp were the Pittsburgh Mermaid and Seagulls, the Sheiks and Camels, Joan of Arc, Lady and the Swans and the American Indian.
In 1939, beautiful designed and stylish parlor lamps were used on the movie set of "Gone With The Wind." Ever since that movie the parlor lamp in America has been called the Gone With the Wind lamp.
The value
$150-$300
- Eleanor Morstad is the owner of Wildflower Antiques and Collectibles in Monroe. She is not a certified antiques appraiser. This column is meant for entertainment purposes only.