Category: Antique Lighting | Olde Good Things

FREE SHIPPING on Antique Lighting

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Abigail Swire

Got your attention?

It should, because Olde Good Things carries lighting from near every era, style, material, and price range.

OGT is currently overstocked with antique and replica fine lighting. Want to see it for yourself? Check out one of our NYC or LA stores and just look up. Our ceilings are covered with chandeliers, lanterns, and pendants. We’ve also managed to plaster most of the walls with sconces of all makes.

Want to take advantage of our FREE SHIPPING ON ANTIQUE LIGHTING sale but aren’t sure what you need or want to replace? Feel free to browse our main online Antique Lighting categories below, which include information about the styles, manufacturers, and compositions.

Antique Vintage Chandeliers

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of Art Deco, Mid Century, Georgian, Modern, Marie Therese, Colonial, Williamsburg and Arts and Crafts style antique chandeliers. Our collection features pieces by Caldwell, Murano, and Sterling Bronze Co. to name a few.

Our antique and vintage chandeliers collection includes mostly glass, brass, bronze, crystal, wrought iron, cast iron and milk glass. Olde Good Things is proud to stock a large variety of vintage antique chandeliers for your next restoration project.

Antique Vintage Exterior Lighting

We have an extensive stock of Arts and Crafts, Gothic, Art Deco, and Industrial exterior wall or ceiling lighting.

Our antique and vintage exterior lighting collection includes pieces crafted from glass, bronze, brass, copper, metal, cast iron, aluminum and wrought iron.

Antique Vintage Flush & Semi Flush Mounts

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of pieces manufactured by Lightolier.

Our antique and vintage flush and semi flush mounts collection includes pieces crafted from glass, brass, metal, and milk glass.

Antique Vintage Globes & Shades

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of Art Deco and Mid Century style antique globes and shades.

Our antique and vintage globes and shades collection includes holophane, milk glass, antique glass, opaline, frosted, ceiling and step down shade types. We have replacement shades for any type of light fixture not listed online. Please be sure to inquire including your required size and composition.

Antique Vintage Industrial & Commercial Lighting

We have an extensive stock of Industrial, Nautical, Mid Century, Gothic and Art Deco style lighting.

Our antique and vintage industrial and commercial collection includes glass, metal, aluminum and steel commercial and industrial lighting.

We have overabundance of vintage industrial holophanes salvaged from old factories. Read related articles to learn about this unique style: Colonial Eatery Brings Repurposed Architectural Elements and Over a Century of History with Industrial Holophane Light Fixtures.

Antique Vintage Lamps

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of Mid Century, Modern, Art Deco, Industrial and Victorian style antique lamps. Our collection features pieces by Murano, Beacon Lamp Co., Caldwell, Dazor, Globemaster and Hanovias.

Our antique and vintage lamp collection includes glass, metal, brass, ceramic, wood, bronze, cast iron and wrought iron.

Antique & Replica Nautical Lighting

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of Nautical, Industrial and Mid Century style antique nautical lighting. Our range includes pieces by Perkins Marine Lamp and Hardware Corp & Wiska.

Our antique and vintage nautical lighting collection includes glass, brass, bronze, metal, aluminum, plastic, copper and Bakelite.

Antique Vintage Pendant Lights

We have an extensive stock of Modern, Mid Century, Art Deco, Industrial, Gothic, Venini, Victorian and Venetian style antique pendant lighting. Our range includes pieces by Murano, Jim Wen, Lightolier, High Bay and Millefiori.

Our antique and vintage pendant lighting collection includes milk glass, holophane, dish, antique glass, etched, frosted, ceiling and Lucite shade types.

We currently have an overabundance of antique bell jar lights in our national warehouse as well as hanging holophane streetlamps from the streets of Paris. For more on these Paris streetlamps, please check out our blog here: Pieces of Paris History: Repurposing Vintage Streetlights .

Antique Vintage Sconces & Wall Lighting

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of Colonial, Art Deco, Arts and Crafts, Victorian, Mid Century, Modern, French and Gothic antique sconces and wall lighting.

Our antique and vintage sconces and wall lighting collection includes pieces crafted from opaline, holophane and frosted shades. The sconces and wall lighting collection includes pieces by Caldwell, Murano, Bradley and Hubbard, Sterling Bronze Co., Arroyo Craftsman, Chameleon & Puritan.

View our elegant stock of sconces from the original Plaza hotel. They were not part of the original decor of the 1800s, but were made exclusively for The Plaza hotel during a later renovation in the 1900s.

Antique Vintage Wall & Ceiling Lanterns

Our stock levels change regularly but we currently hold stock of Arts and Crafts, Gothic, Primitive, Nautical, Industrial, Art Deco, Colonial and Oriental style antique wall and ceiling lanterns. Our collection features pieces by Appleton & Caldwell.

Our antique and vintage lamp collection includes glass, brass, metal, bronze, cast iron, wrought iron, copper and crystal pieces.

Take advantage of our Free Shipping Sale, shop all Antique Lighting

Colonial Eatery Brings Repurposed Architectural Elements

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Abigail Swire

The Assembly Design Studio designers of Ledger, a local restaurant and bar on New England’s North Shore, envisioned a “rough restoration” of the historic Salem Savings Bank — a place where customers could relax in a contemporary dining space and absorb the colorful history of Salem.

Salem Savings was erected in 1818 and is the second oldest incorporated savings bank in America. Notable bank customers of bygone days include Salem-born Nathaniel Hawthorne, dark romantic author of The Scarlet Letter, and Alexander Graham Bell, who patented the first telephone.

History comes in many flavors at this modern eatery. Regional cuisine is on the menu, inspired by traditional Colonial New England cooking techniques and local fish, meat, and produce. Local fare, cocktails mixed behind a leathered white macaubus granite bar, and fresh seafood from the oyster bar are offered in an authentic vintage industrial atmosphere. The restaurant’s decor was formed from the existing raw materials of the historic building, accentuated with reclaimed materials and distinctive pieces of architectural salvage. In the entry, visitors will walk through a glass and metal vestibule which showcases the original plaster ceiling and a custom 82” chandelier. A bank teller window adds to the ambience as guests enter the dining area, where a repurposed communal white oak table provides seating for 22. A contemporary wall crafted from metal safety box doors lends an industrial edge to the dining area, while a bank vault houses the walk-in refrigerator.

Exposed iron beams and rough brick and wood architecture provided a raw palette for the designers of Ledger to work with. Custom charred wood planking was incorporated into the design, a material reminiscent of Salem’s powerful and dark history which includes the Witch Trials and Great Fire of 1914. Other authentic details include distressed leather barstools, tufted banquettes, tile from the 1930s, and historic bank ledgers used for artistic display.

Ledger’s sophisticated vintage holophane lighting hails from the 1920s era and was supplied by Olde Good Things. The soft ambience of the fixtures offers a stark contrast to the lofty reclaimed wood inset on the ceiling and exposed iron beams. Our industrial Holophane light fixtures are sourced from factories across the Northeast and are a reminder of the Golden Age of “scientific illumination”. OGT’s extensive selection of Holophane fixtures from the 20s and 30s is salvaged and restored in our shop.

Besides their widespread usage in industry, the luminaires are ideal for contemporary commercial usage to illuminate a space without glare or dark spots. They are very popular in auction houses and amongst reclamation connoisseurs for their economical and efficient dispersion of light, along with the historic magnetism of their design.

Most Popular Holophanes

Shop all Holophane online, here.

For questions about our Designer discount, view here.

Video: Antique Austrian Crystal Bell Jars

Posted on February 20, 2017 by ogtadmin

Classic Bell Jar Pendant Lighting Instills a Vintage Eclectic Edge
View Bell Jar Pendants online

Legendary Plaza Hotel Reclaimed

Posted on January 25, 2017 by ogtadmin

When the new owners of the luxury Plaza Hotel in New York City, decided to renovate and transform its interior in 2005, Olde Good Things found a plethora of beautiful architectural salvage items perfect for re-use.

This world-famous hotel is a landmark 20-story Manhattan structure overlooking Central Park originally opened in 1907. It is the legendary home to “Eloise” as well as many real life famous performers and guests. It has also been the meeting place for important political meetings over the years, if the walls could speak, what history (and secrets) we would hear!

Prior to its renovation, at a tag sale by the new owners, we acquired over 100 marble mantels, as well as over-mantel mirrors, doorknobs and decorative iron grills. Many other admirers attended this sale and took away souvenirs such as bathrobes and slippers.

This world famous architectural salvage took place in June – July of 2005. The following gallery is just a sample of some of the breathless architectural pieces we purchased from this legendary landmark.

As time went by, we acquired original lighting from the Plaza Hotel to add to our inventory of architectural pieces from this historic landmark. You may be wondering, well are there any pieces left? The answer is yes, we still have a limited supply of Plaza hardware, doors, lighting and marble mantels…. Below see pictures of a basket chandelier, which once graced the hallways of each hotel floor, being carefully dressed and rewired to be sent into our Bowery location in NYC for resale.

See below available emblematic knobs, matching plates, door plates, interior doors, sconces, pendants, chandeliers as well as several styles of marble mantels all reclaimed from these luxury suites.

View all the Plaza inventory online now

Read about other historic salvage job

Over a Century of History with Industrial Holophane Light Fixtures

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Sara

Original factory Holophanes grace this dining room table

Vintage industrial light fixtures are a sleek lighting accessory for any contemporary home or office. Durable Holophane lighting, in particular, carries with it a powerful history of scientific innovation and industrial applications. “Holophane” comes from the Greek words Holos and Phainein, translated “to appear completely luminous”.

The Holophane Glass story begins in the 1890s when French electric scientist Andre Blondel and Greek engineer Spiridion Psaroudaki covered a glass globe in the laboratory with horizontal prisms positioned to manipulate light. They were awarded a U.S. patent in 1893, when Holophane fixtures were already being manufactured in France and exported across Europe and the U.S.

Otis A. Mygatt acquired the rights for the illumination technology in 1896 and founded the Holophane Company in London. Holophane Glass Company was incorporated in America in 1898, with its first headquarters on Broadway in New York.

Huge strides were made in illumination technology during the Progressive Era of the early 1900s. Holophane Glass Company employed specialized engineers to study the distribution of light. The result was an innovative line of globes and reflectors made of clear crystal glass with prisms constructed to direct rays of light both downward and outward. When General Electric partnered with Holophane in 1911, they combined the classic products with a frosted line of Fostoria glassware.

The company began providing “scientific illumination” to industrial facilities. During the 1920s, Holophane Glass developed “hibay” lighting for the economical illumination of large factories, including the Chevrolet Motor Co. stockroom in Tarrytown, NY, and Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing in East Pittsburgh.

Careful removal of factory Holophane lights

Holophane’s influence continued through 1930s, lighting industrial areas and famous spots like Radio City Studios, NY, The House of Lords in England, and Westminster Abbey during the coronation of King George VI. During WWII, Holophane lit war plants and airplane hangars around the world. By 1945, Holophane lighting had penetrated into the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Library of Congress.

Holophane Glass Company coined the term “illumineering” based on the visual and physiological needs of the human eye, a concept that is still pervasive in lighting technology. Through the present day, Holophane continues to research and develop street lighting, fluorescent commercial lighting, contemporary outdoor illumination, and lighting for emergency applications.

Vintage Holophane light fixtures are very popular in upscale auction houses and industrial reclamation circles. The trademark of these “luminaires” is a borosilicate glass refractor or reflector. The prisms direct light both up and down, which is perfect for illuminating a space without glare or dark spots.

Olde Good Things has acquired many of these lights over the years and many commercial and retail customers have purchased these reclaimed lights and put them to use in new applications. Here you see one customer

Olde Good Things was fortunate to retrieve a collection of Holophane pendant lighting from a century-old plant in New Jersey. These industrial beauties range in size from 15” to 21” in diameter.

Holophane Lighting evenly throws light for maximum illumination

Visit Olde Good Things to discover more architectural treasures.

Inquire about other sizes available at websales@oldegoodthings.com. 888-233-9678.

Credits:
http://www.holophane.com/company/history/index.asp
https://www.justcollecting.com/miscellania/antique-holophane-lighting

Classic Bell Jar Pendant Lighting Instills a Vintage Eclectic Edge

Posted on October 14, 2016 by ogtadmin

Bell jar lanterns are a classic tribute to centuries of lighting. They add a traditional, yet eclectic, feel to a space. The evolution of the bell jar light fixture proves that they can be adapted to accentuate a number of functions and design styles.

Middle Ages

Lanterns appear in medieval manuscripts as early as the 13th century. Some of these forms included basic frames with panels of horn or glass. The first innovations in lighting technology were the most basic way to illuminate the dark, clammy hallways.

Leonardo da Vinci is the first known inventor to put a flame inside a glass container fitted to a water-filled glass globe.

Renaissance Bell Jar Fixtures

As lighting evolved, pendant lighting styles moved away from carved hanging lamps of wood and metal to round glass chimney lanterns. The fixture was suspended from the ceiling by a circular plate, hook, and chains.

With the creation of ornately embellished chandeliers in 17th century France and 18th century England, pendants made from crystals and frosted glass were en vogue up until the 20th century.

18th Century

In expansive, darkly-paneled 18th century homes, light emanated mainly from the fireplace, or candles. However, candles were expensive. Homes incorporated the trick of medieval and renaissance predecessors by enclosing candles in glass pendants to be hung from the ceiling. Often, the candles were only lit during festivities, and the glass jar prevented the candles from being snuffed out by a draft.

American Colonial and Federalist Period

Bell jar light fixtures were quite popular during the colonial period in America. These fixtures were elaborately design with reliefs and other decorative finishes. A smoke bell cap on the pendants prevented candle smoke from blackening the ceilings or walls.

Colonial India

Bell jar lanterns, known as Hundi lanterns, were popular and widespread in colonial India. Here, hand-blown glass fixtures were made in a variety of sparkling, jewel-like colors in styles representing a meeting of Western and Indian design.

Contemporary

Bell jar lighting remains popular to the present day. Obviously, the function has evolved over time from candles, oil, or gas to electric pendant fixtures. A number of designs, etched patterns, and colors embellish homes across the world with a style that is both vintage and modern, traditional and edgy.

Olde Good Things recently acquired a collection of fine bell jar glass carefully curated by an avid collector over years of traveling to India and purchasing antique fine crystal and glass bell jars. The antique pieces are available in both cut and clear crystal, ruby red or emerald green.

Browse bell jars online here.

Credits:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8484621/list/ring-in-lighting-style-with-a-bell-jar-lantern

http://www.currentmiddleages.org/tents/article6lantern.pdf

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2005-07-31/news/0507310305_1_pendants-furniture-and-lighting-designer-drama-and-intimacy

Designing with Nautical Lighting

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Sara

With a vast offering of lighting from industrial to elegant, designers find Olde Good Things a prime go-to shop for authentic original fixtures. Of late, one of the favorites has been unique maritime lights salvaged from ocean carriers of long ago. Here you see featured just one re-use of a honey-comb shade fox spotlight now accenting an ultra-modern living area.

Nautical lighting offers a mix of industrial and eclectic, especially due to the use of rich looking metals like bronze and copper, often used due to their resistance to the elements.

This line of lighting makes for great exterior uses, especially the passage and deck lighting. One of the favorites is the goose neck bronze sconces. Many of our customers have purchased these to adorn their porches, carriage houses and garages. Available in a rounded top and flat top (pictured), also in a smaller size (see gallery below).

We also have sconces available in cast aluminum, if you prefer a more subtle color and industrial look.

Take a look at some of our new arrivals and shop our web site and stores to see the inventory.

If you really want to make a statement, perhaps a small passage light is not for you. You can always light up your life with this huge 4-foot ship spotlight, or maybe even two if you prefer (we have a pair available.)

Whatever your preference, you have some choices now at Olde Good Things. From ocean-liners, to your living room, these trendy marine lights will make great conversation pieces. Just think of the far away countries they’ve been to and the vast oceans they’ve crossed prior to their demise; now to be re-purposed and given new dimension in your design objective.

Retiring with Grace and Style: Salvaging the Walter Keane Staten Island Ferry

Olde Good Things Accents Rio Apartments

Posted on July 7, 2015 by Sara

Casa Vogue cover

It’s always a great compliment to have your work reviewed in globally renowned publications. Well known designers and architects, Beto Figuiredo and Luiz Eduardo Almeida of Ourico Arquitetura E Design, a Rio de Janeiro design firm, have had their work featured more than once in Casa Vogue, a Brazilian decorators’ favorite.

Not only do these designers have their own natural flair for bringing tropical chic to otherwise simple modern designs, they also have a loyal base of discerning customers who love to shop with them at their favorite New York shops and incorporate the old with the new to spice modern layouts and give them a distinct look.

Beto has shopped Olde Good Things for quite a few years and has purchased all the right finishing touches to make his apartment redos have this standalone style. Here you’ll see two of his and Luiz’ renovations, both incorporating Olde Good Things accents, photographs used courtesy of Casa Vogue and taken by photographer, Cristiano Mascaro.

Mirror made from the historic Flatiron Building window

Old factory Holophane lights make great pendants

A second renovation was also featured in Casa Vogue. Beto accented this apartment with 1930s industrial and school house lighting purchased from Olde Good Things. Also from us, some seating, incidental lighting, and altered antiques including a huge horizontally hung window mirror from the International Toy Center building which now features Eataly, one of the favorite Italian eateries in New York City.

One of the articles in Casa Vogue featuring Ourico Arquitetura

Olde Good Things is a great source for designers the world over to find many types of incidental accents for any decorative renovation.

We also ship anywhere. So come, design, and build with Olde Good Things!

A Piece of Paris History: Repurposing Vintage Street Lights

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Danica Sorber

An ancient and historic city, Paris is the sparkling central gem in the crown of Europe. Known to all as the City of Lights, Paris is a criss-crossing capitol comprised of smaller cities joined together by their love of fine food, joy, and the passion one finds around every corner.

For many years, along the winding footpaths and cobblestone alleyways and narrow paved streets, Parisians and tourists could see the sights and explore the intimate nooks and crannies of the city; their way lit by large globe street lights.

Today, with the crucial need for bright lights and cost-effective infrastructure, Paris has replaced many of their antique and vintage street lights with new LED bulbs.

Though need has outweighed history, Paris knew it couldn’t just dispose of their old lights —no, they knew these beautiful, classic holophane lamps could be owned and loved by those who adore the city as much as they do.

Original street lamp pictured here in Paris

Olde Good Things has just acquired a limited supply of these fantastic holophane globes, ready to be transformed into great contemporary lighting for either a residential or commercial application. These globe lamps are available with a steel pole or with a chain for use as a large pendant light.

These globes can be simply repurposed as light fixtures and glimmering conversation pieces, in your kitchen over your central island, or in your dining room over your table. Imagine enjoying a meal with those you love while the light of Paris shines down upon you. Not only that, these antique lamps would be spectacular lighting pieces for screened-in porches, outdoor entertainment spaces, or shining, shimmering ballrooms! With these genuine architectural historical pieces, the sky’s the limit!

Bring a piece of the City of Lights into your home or office, and create an atmosphere of Parisian charm with the flick of a switch.

To own your very own piece of Parisian history, contact the customer service professionals at Olde Good Things, and be sure to peruse our online inventory for other gorgeous light fixtures.

Customer Showcase: Pearly Gates Bar Reinvention

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Danica Sorber

Pearly Gates Bar in Frankfurt, Germany just underwent a major redo

On a cobblestone street in Frankfurt Germany one will find a newly transformed classic venue called Pearly Gates Bar. This one-of-a-kind local eatery and bar was in need of a dramatic and lasting redesign, and they called on designer, Madjid Djamegari, for help. Djamegari, known for his redesign of The Gibson Club, wanted to create an interior space with a classic 1920s vibe—complete with the sensual lines and simple yet stylish fixtures of an American speakeasy. Unfortunately, there aren’t many architectural salvage and repurposing specialists in Europe, so Djamegari travelled to New York to find the perfect pieces for his perfect vision. Fortunately for Pearly Gates Bar and for us, he stumbled upon a small shop filled to the ceiling with everything he needed to make his mark on a timeless German bar. He’d discovered Olde Good Things where he tapped into the wares at our Madison Avenue location, handpicking many vintage and altered antiques to create his desired look.

Much of the seating, lighting and table tops were supplied by OGT

For a touch of glimmering illumination in his interior transformation, Djamegari chose these beautiful copper pendant lights which he hung from 100 year old reclaimed tin-tiled ceiling. The tin ceiling was pieced together from actual vintage tin OGT salvaged from buildings in NYC and Chicago. You can get a better idea of the work that goes into the removal, cleaning, and restoration of tin ceilings by reading our blog post here. The pendant lights, once backstage lights at the 1930s Philadelphia Convention Hall in Philadelphia, form a glow of subtle lighting over the bar area. The table tops were custom made from reclaimed copper and galvanized sheet metal, and were built in our custom furniture shop at our warehouse in Pennsylvania.

Leather couch and oak bankers chairs were purchased at our Madison Ave. Store.

Much of the seating was supplied by Olde Good Things, including the swivel top stools, the 1940s leather couch, and mahogany banker’s chairs.

Not only did Djamegari have comfortable seating in mind, he also wanted to draw in the style and vintage charm of classic NYC with these small sconce lights lining the intimate corners of the bar. These wall lights once graced the white-tile walls of the New York City Subway system.

Sadly, the pictures supplied do not feature some other interesting items used during the redesign. These items include: vintage bathroom pedestal sinks and reclaimed doors. Although Olde Good Things, Madison Ave is our flagship location, there are three more unique locations in New York City, one in downtown Los Angeles, and two large warehouse locations in Scranton Pennsylvania. Each of our locations house an eclectic variety of salvaged, restored, and re-purposed items perfect for a restaurant, commercial, or residential redesign, remodel, or refurbishing.

To see what else OGT has to offer, visit our website and look through our growing inventory, or visit one of our locations in-person for a real eye-opening, design bending experience!