Antique Lamp Restoration and Repairs
Old world antique glass lamp restoration.
The Great Basket Chandelier by Leonard Daley
This solid brass genuine antique lighting chandelier was brought to the studio requiring a new glass basket. A single unit consisting of 8 pieces of bent glass. With no existing glass to copy or use as a guide, this project required a great deal of engineering and design work prier to starting. The client requested a high level of craftsmanship that would complement the existing materials and workmanship. This chandelier was built and manufactured by hand with forged and cast brass parts. Everything from the electrical flowers to the brass metal work reflected what I call old world craftsmanship. I personally found the the rope design from the basket to the ceiling most interesting with concealed internal electrical wiring. On the surface the clients concerns were obvious. Basic options and choices concerning selecting glass, brass and finishing materials.
Our studio's concerns started with a little research, pictures, catalogs, drawings, history anything associated with this genuine original vintage lighting chandelier.
Ownership of antique lighting sometimes carries a lot of pride over the years. Often a client will offer a lot of knowledge about a lamp when it arrives for restoration. Many bring in black and white pictures from a photo album with their antique fixture in the background. I often hear clients start by saying,“this has been in my family for years”. On the other hand commercial lighting restoration projects are less personal. Architect, historical building, and preservation organizations are less likely to have a personal attachment to a lamp repair or lighting restoration project. Their concerns are in most cases focused on a broader renovation project that just includes minor lighting repairs. This is when our studio knowledge and experience becomes a resource. But whether its residential, commercial or historical work, We treat every project with the highest level of quality workmanship with both heart and mind.
In today’s world there are no restrictions. Domestic and international clients are welcome to express projects or questions. Our portfolio is broad, from a lighting fixture in Korea to the Christian Science Center in Boston. Brows and enjoy some the past projects we have completed over the past 34 years. To be less intimidating repairs range between $75-250 for small jobs. Day projects can be priced. If your serious about a restoration project
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Boston has some of the oldest residential and commercial architecture in the country filled with stained glass and antique lighting fixtures. Glass companies in Europe and across the country manufactured custom and production lighting to support the period architecture. Skilled metal and glass workers created quality lighting fixtures. Filling homes and buildings with ornate lighting designs for entryways, hallways and vestibules. Nickates has performed hundreds of repairs for historical society's, residential and commercial projects. If you have a lighting restoration project please contact us.
Like any fine antique if part of the antique is missing the value can be seriously diminished. Restoration to this cast brass metal frame increased its value but without constructing a new glass basket the value was low.
Creating a mold for bending glass is the first step. With no existing glass to form mold material this can be a challenge. Often broken or cracked panels are used as a male mold to create a female mold.
When creating something from nothing again it becomes a challenge when you have nothing to use or follow. With no existing glass we created a male mold using a metal base.
Old antique glass shades and chandelier metal frames.
Variable: Using the antique brass frame as a guide for the diameter and height. Deduct and compensate for a tolerance between the frame and the glass basket (one unit) 12 pieces of glass. Deduct for the thickness of material (1/8 restoration glass and brass channel ). Calculate how and where the basket will be attached before making the basket.
Repairing antique bent glass lighting fixtures step 3.
Molds for bending glass can be fabricated from lots of materials. While we have our own personal favorites. Basically it comes down to how many time the mold will be fired over 1300 degrees. Glass molds break down and require patching if used several times. When this authentic antique lighting fixture was created the manufacture used steel molds to fabricate thousands of pieces of glass.
Clients love this part. In most situations this is the only part of the process the clients think about. In some cases selecting glass is not negotiable. Our goal is to match the existing glass 97-100%. In some cases this may involve custom ordering glass from a glass manufacture. Retaining as much of the original glass is the goal. If there's a fine crack we use a special restoration glass glue to seal the crack. With most historical glass lighting restoration contracts this is standard practice. Our studio conforms with all architectural restoration practices as well as incorporating our quality workmanship and pride.
This antique lighting fixture restoration.
Again we had no glass to reference but had lots of experience with this period and style of antique lighting. We negotiated and compromised with the clients feelings.
Collaborating and exchanging ideas between the shops artists is encouraged before a restoration project starts. Investing thought and design into the early stages of lamp restoration makes assembling enjoyable. Once the project plan is drawn up one artist depending on their strengths will start and complete the restoration. Again each project carries a lot of pride in workmanship.
For obvious reasons like transportation and installation. The new glass unit had to be removable. From a manufactures view point the unit must be removable for possible future repairs.
"The antique lighting fixture would remain hanging while the glass basket could be removed for repairs".
So early into the design stage we knew the unit had to be removable. Our finished basket had to match the diameter of the lower brass ring within 1/8 inch. The lower ring was drilled and the basket was taped to accept 4 brass screws.
Cast brass chandelier BEFORE and AFTER the restoration process.