AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a vintage electric student-style hurricane lamp featuring a prominent amber-colored pressed glass shade and a brass-finished metal base. The glass shade is the primary focus, exhibiting a complex 'hobnail' or 'quilted' texture with repetitive raised geometric patterns and a ruffled, crimped top rim. The glass transitions from a deep honey amber at the top to a lighter, translucent yellow-amber in the mid-section. The base is constructed from a non-magnetic metal, likely brass or brass-plated white metal, featuring a circular pedestal foot, a slender stem, and a chalice-like cup that holds the shade. A modern-style brown electric cord is visible, suggesting a mid-20th-century manufacture date, likely circa 1960s or 1970s. The metal base shows a matte patina with visible spotting, tarnish, and surface wear consistent with age and use. The glass shade appears to be in good structural condition without obvious cracks or large chips, although some minor flea bites along the fitter rim may be present. The overall style is a 20th-century revival of 19th-century Victorian oil lighting, characterized by its warm color palette and ornate glass textures.

I have conducted a visual inspection of this vintage amber pressed glass hurricane lamp. Based on the hobnail/quilted pattern and the ruffled rim geometry, this piece is consistent with Mid-Century 'Colonial Revival' lighting popular in the 1960s and 1970s, often produced by manufacturers like Fenton, L.G. Wright, or Quoizel. The shade exhibits excellent clarity and coloration, though the metal base shows significant oxidation and pitting, which impacts the overall aesthetic value. The modern cord indicates an original factory electric manufacture rather than a conversion of an 1800s oil lamp. The market for mid-tier Mid-Century lighting is stable but saturated. Comparable sales in antique malls and online marketplaces typically range from $40 to $85 depending on brand verification. The lack of a visible maker's mark on the base suggests a generic manufacturer, which keeps rarity low. Critically, this appraisal is based on photographic evidence only. A physical examination is required to check for 'flea bites' on the fitter rim and to verify if the base is solid brass or plated pot metal, the latter of which would lower the value. I would also need to inspect the internal wiring for fraying to ensure safety compliance. Provenance was not provided; however, documentation regarding original purchase from retailers such as Montgomery Ward or Sears would confirm its mass-market origin. No scientific testing is required for this classification of decorative glass.