A pewter lamp resembling a can¬ 
dlestick, but in reality a font 
containing oil for the miniature 
wick 
From the Dolomites this curious 
and serviceable candlestick with 
a hook for the wall 
By fitting with frosted bulbs, a church 
lamp can be made suitable for above 
the dining table 
A Persian perforated lamp of this kind 
looks best in the hall. It can readily be 
wired for electricity 
addition of gaily-colored 
chintz shades. 
From North Carolina 
comes a Southern heirloom 
-— a glass shield lamp, sup¬ 
ported by a brass standard. 
The heavy glass shield fits 
snugly into its socket, and can be adjusted 
to guard the flame from the wind. At the 
top of a drafty stairs such a lamp proves 
as useful as it is ingenious. Near it can 
be placed a “Gimbel Lamp.” These were 
used originally on shipboard. It can either 
be held as a candlestick—for it is pivoted 
so that it could swing with every move¬ 
ment of the turbulent sea — or else it can 
be hung on the wall as a bracket lamp; 
its end being heavily weighted, keeps the 
flame erect. Graceful and well turned are 
these simple little ship's lights. They 
must have been a joy to their makers, for 
surely they prove so to the collector who 
is so fortunate as to possess one. 
In the living-room the more substantial 
lights of brass and copper can be used 
effectively. There is a whole class of 
lamps fashioned with a wicker-holder for 
oil and a drip-cup below — the “Betty 
Lamps” of iron that one sees in every 
Colonial museum. Abroad, particularly 
in Normandy, can be found beautifully 
wrought examples, the brace for the two 
cups worked in wonderful patterns. 
Against a simple 
wall the shadow of 
such lights is very 
decorative. The 
lace - makers of 
Ireland use a simi¬ 
Above is a Moorish lantern of decorative shape; on 
the other side, a Turkish hanging lamp with glass 
shaft; below, a Jewish Hanukah light—a good 
group 
lar light that they hang 
over the backs of their 
chairs. Some are pathetic 
with patching, but, over a 
low bookcase in a living- 
room, they are none the 
less decorative. 
In Colonial times the ballrooms of 
country places were often lighted by ob¬ 
long tin sconces with hooded tops cut like 
scallop shells. These were painted with 
nosegays and sometimes held a Baberry 
dip or wax candle, or a glass font of oil 
with a tiny stem for the wick. In some 
instances the reflectors were circular, with 
radiating lines like the sun; sometimes a 
bit of tinsel, fitted into intricate patterns, 
formed a gorgeous and dazzling back¬ 
ground, making a hundred candles of the 
one. These oblong sconces are still made, 
and it is quick work for the tinsmith to 
form a shell above, cutting a semi-circle in 
the square top. They can be painted to 
match the chintz hangings in the bedroom 
—say with friendly birds atilt on a green 
bowl filled with brilliant flowers. A pla¬ 
giarism of our Colonial forbears, but most 
effective! 
The Paul Revere lantern, a type quite 
common, has perforated sides, whose pat¬ 
tern makes grotesque kaleidoscope decora¬ 
tion when lighted. Poor Paul Revere! 
But may it be said to the credit of our 
sense of venera¬ 
tion, we fasten to 
his memory things 
of beauty. 
(Continued on 
page 400) 
— 
& 
'-IN 
Two tin circular sconces—and below, two pewter 
lamps for sperm oil. The sconces are useful to¬ 
day if fitted properly 
Two tin sconces of Colonial design, and a Paul Re¬ 
vere lantern. The former are popular shapes to¬ 
day and can be painted to match the hangings 
377 
