FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)
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What makes you different than other antique dealers?
We like to start with asking ourselves "why" we are in this business. We love art deco and its subtypes because there's something so inspiring and appealing about the style because it's luxurious, modern, and hopeful all at once. What better way to enjoy that style than applying it to lighting, something fundamental to all of our homes and businesses.
1) We KNOW our stuff! We are a small but specialized retailer of art deco, streamline, machine age, and modernist antiques which gives us the opportunity to really curate our collection and focus on understanding the details, like history, materials, designers, and manufactures of the items we sell. We love to research and are constantly learning new information about the items we sell and love to share that information with our customers.
A) Unique Background: We have a unique blend of experiences in the technology, design, and photography fields which gives us a unique perspective within the antiques and home/commercial lighting businesses. We understand the fundamentals of lighting techniques and also can help you pick out the perfect lighting to design your particular space. Just send us a message!
2) We RESTORE our lighting. While we pick many of our own items and source items from pickers, we do not sell "barnyard" condition items. Our focus is on providing you a great experience discovering beautifully restored items that are ready to use in your home or business without worrying if they are safe, clean, authentic, and restored.
A) Electrical Safety: To ensure the safety of all of our products we thoroughly test all electrical components for continuity and replace components that are worn out. As a rule, we ALWAYS replace the electrical wiring and plugs to ensure they are up to modern electrical codes.
B) Cleanliness: Each and every item is fully disassembled and cleaned appropriately for the materials present.
C) Authenticity: We always disclose the decade in which an item was made or whether it is believed to be of the art deco period or not.
D) Quality Restoration: We go through an in-depth restoration process on most lighting we sell that includes research, cleaning, replacement of missing/damaged parts, repainting/polishing, rewiring, reassembly, and finally electrical testing. You can learn more about that on our restoration process page.
What brands and designers do you sell?
We carry a variety of high quality and desirable lamps, lighting, and other antiques including those designed by many renowned companies and designers from the Art Deco era.
Brands: Chase, Markel, Sight Light, Faries, Frankart, NuArt, Ronson, Apt Novelty Co, Houze Glass Co, Indiana Glass Co, Mutual Sunset, L&L WMC, Globe Specialty Co, Miller Lamp Co, JB Hirsch, Pattyn Products, Railley Co, Riddle Co, Soundrite, Speedway, Coulter, Electrolier, Efcolite, Van Dyke, and many others.
Designers: Arthur von Frankenburg, Walter Von Nessen, Gilbert Rohde, Harry Laylon, William and Ruth Gerth, Lurelle Guild, Bert Dickerson, Howard Reichenbach, Leroy Doane, Walter Dorwin Teague, Kurt Versen, and many others.
Our mix is always changing so be sure to check back often!
What is Bakelite/Catalin?
Bakelite & Catalin are both types of phenolic thermosetting resins (early plastic) created from a chemical reaction involving Phenol & Formaldehyde to create a stable compound that is then molded into various shapes for a variety of household and industrial uses.
Bakelite is the earlier of the two plastics invented in 1907 by chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland. It often includes fillers like sawdust to stabilize it which limited its ability to be colored. It's most often found in black or dark reddish-brown colors.
Catalin was created in 1927 and uses a different molding process that doesn't require fillers. Therefore it was able to be made in a variety of beautiful colors, either solid or translucent and swirled to create marbled effects.
Do you offer discounts for the design trade?
Please contact sales and we would be happy to discuss our trade discount program.
New Arrivals
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Retro Futuristic Streamline Deco Modern Disc Accent Pattyn Lamp - ART LITE mini™ P310
Regular price $170.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per$212.00 CADSale price $170.00 CADSale -
1930s Chase Chrome Streamlined Deco Ring Tray
Regular price $142.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
1940s Zephyr Streamline Deco Aluminum Roasting Pan
Regular price $127.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
1934 Soundrite Spun Aluminum Streamline Machine Age Deco Lamp
Regular price $494.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per -
1940s Streamline Modernist Deco Wood Blue & Yellow Folk Art Lamp
Regular price $254.00 CADRegular priceUnit price / per