The most over-used word in the antique trade is the word “rare”.   It is so over used for common things that when an authentic rare item comes along,  the word tends to lose its punch.

Ken Kelly as the curator of the worlds only Art Deco Lighting Museum , says “perhaps it will have a bit more validity than when used off-handedly by a normal dealer”. So now,  “He” wants to use the word “rare”.

One of the brightest stars in our light museum is this particular light.  We were lucky enough to have this one donated to the museum to help us raise funds for expansion. Okay, so what qualifies this as rare ?  Well,  in 42 years of collecting for the museum, we have purchased every single entity found and we only have three examples shown in the museum  (a five light chandelier like this one, a three light and a sconce), and now this donation.

So…what is it ?  Since it is not in any catalog or reference book that we have in our library,  it needs to be attributed by the elements of its design & construction. We, probably better than most, are most able to do this.

This art deco chandelier we believe, is a presentation piece.  It was probably given to outstanding dealers or wholesalers as a reward for achievement of great sales.  Of course,  it might also have been given to retiring executives of the company sort of like the gold watch reward. Like the quality of engraved Winchester rifles,  it has an amount of detail very much above the norm for a production piece.

We believe it was made by  Lincoln Manufacturing who were ONE of the biggest makers of slip shade lighting in America and even sold to Sears.  We “know” Lincoln design and castings quite well having handled hundreds of their various products.

Attributes we recognize different from Virden or Markel or Acme or Frankenlite or Halcolite or Globe:
1:  The fixture is aluminum…Lincoln Mnf was a aluminum foundry rather than cast iron or cast zinc, or even cast bronze.
2:  The design motifs and shade holding panels are similar, mechanically, to Lincoln designs such as the Fleur-de-lis.
3:  The color and reliefs are similar to Lincoln designs and you can almost feel the elements from their head designer in this piece.  It does go that extra mile for great design.
4:  Each casting is marked with a part number.  Lincoln did this exclusively and other manufacturers did this VERY seldom.
5:  Only Lincoln made two other lights where the shade could be used bulb side up..or..down.  We are showing both these orientations in our pictures below.

The shades are just so fantastic.  Heavy custard glass with deep reliefs. Can be used two ways depending on preferences.very minor roughness in keeping with the fixture’s age.  Simply “wow” pieces of glass by themselves.

Measurements & Wiring:   Totally re-wired with new sockets and wire.  Ready to hang and we will supply all the necessary parts to do so easily.  It is 31” tall.  That large finial really adds to the height.  If a longer drop (height) is desired,  we can add a bit of extra chain.  It has an 18” diameter.

An excellent price for this RARE slip shade presentation chandelier attributed to Lincoln Mnf., Circa 1935.

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