There are a literally thousands of different glass categories that you could start to collect on your own, but few are as interesting as fairy lamps.
Fairy lamps are glass candle votives that typically are covered with a small opening on the top to let out heat. They are the primitive version of today’s modern electric lamp.
These charming candle lamps were first made popular in the Victorian era to illuminate hallways at night. They became even more popular in the mid-Nineteenth Century once manufacturers were able to mass-produce both glass and candles. There was even another reemergence in the mid-Twentieth century when Depression glass became popular and affordable. The image below shows a Depression glass fairy lamp from my store, CJB Collectibles.
Depression glass fairy lamp from our store
There also is a romantic presence about fairy lamps. Not only do they give off a soft glow, but also were used by Victorian era parents to help monitor courting rituals. When a young gentleman came to court a young lady during this era, a candle was lit and placed in a fairy lamp. Once the candle burnt out, the gentleman had to leave.
Legend say young couples would bring candles to spend extra time with one another, but parents always seem to have the upper hand. Eventually, fairy lamps were made with a locking mechanism. These were made out of metal and not glass.
Victorian era fairy lamp
Victorian era fairy lamp
Because of the rich history these lamps have, they are excellent pieces to collect. Here are some tips for starting your collection:
- Pick lamps that you like. Don’t be concerned with resale values or time periods at first. These lamps deserve to be showcased throughout your home and not in a display case.
- Start looking for Depression glass fairy lamps first. These lamps were made in the 1950s and can be found in excellent condition since they are made extremely thick.
- Like any item you collect, condition is the most important factor. Stay away from chipped and scratched items unless they are extremely rare.
- Collect either the same style or cover all of your bases. Having 10 amber glass votives from the 1950s and one Victorian era fairy lamp is not impressive to other collectors. Stick with one specific type or try to collect a great variety.
- Have fun! These are great conversation pieces.
Don’t forget to check out our store at http://cjbcollectibles.etsy.com
You can always email us with questions about milk glass at cjbcollectibles@gmail.com.
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