Posted 10 years ago
bobbyrohr88
(2 items)
Just a few nice pieces... Have many more! Got these all from a garage sale here in western Kansas. My lamps are the reason I'll never have kids... Haha!
Just a few of my Victorians... | ||
| My Lamps1 of 2 |  | |
Hi just wondering how to tell porcelain from ceramic and would lamp makers use real gold on ceramic?
thanks
Odetta
All porcelain is ceramic, but not all ceramic is porcelain. Ceramic is just a term for molded and cast clay. Most cheap ceramics use a high grit clay, and won't finish as fine as porcelain, which is a SUPER LOW grit clay. The easiest way to tell the difference is to tap it with a ring. Porcelain sounds like 'ting ting ting' while most cheap ceramics sound like 'dunk dunk dunk'.
Thanks!
How do you know what the lamps are really worth? I have 4 myself that I bought years ago at garage sales and am about to downsize so need to sell them. Any suggestions as to where to find prices? Thanks
To determine the value of a lamp such as these, one would need to first figure out the maker. Look for hallmarks, signatures, or some other distinguishing feature. These can both be painted on OR cast into the actual piece. Once you find this, I'd recommend a simple, broad Google search of a description of the hallmark followed by "urn lamp". Once you find your lamp or one similar, use what information you can and search for sold or for sale lamps of the same caliber. Be forewarned though, it's a very soft market right now. Lots of people are asking $1-2-300 for them, but the ones that are selling are usually bringing $10-$50 right now.
(If you can't find any makers markings, I use this simple yet often effective method: Very broad Google search like "Blue Victorian urn lamp birds flowers" and start scrolling through images.)
Wow. Thanks for the detailed info Bobby rohr. :)