xAntique Japanned Copper 5-light Chandelier

For restoring your antique house, an antique light fixture, USA, c 1900, Japanned copper, also called “oxidized copper”. This was a technique of artificially aging copper before polishing parts of it back to its original condition. It was a short lived fad around the turn of the century so these fixtures are scarce. This high quality fixture is worthy of a great, old house. It never carried shades as this was not a concern for those lucky enough to afford electricity. Light was controlled by turning off a socket or two. It would look lovely with the new clear glass antique style Edison light bulbs peaking out of the copper leaves.

The original turn switch sockets are brass, not copper, probably used for their special extended length turn switches more easily accessed outside the beautiful copper socket leaf style covers. The old Perkins sockets look like new but have a patent date of 1899. Interestingly (to us, anyway), Perkins was purchased by Bryant Electric Co. in that same year.

The copper has some dark age spots, not unlike old furniture, but is clean and smooth and not lacquered. Note the beaded decorations and the appliques attached to the central wire cover. The fixture, like the sockets, is in amazingly good condition, no dents or splits in fixture, professionally rewired. Measurements: 16″ h x 18 ” w., perfect for an 8-foot ceiling.  Gone to Wisconsin.