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| Appraisal ID: | 96305 | |
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| Appraised On: | 16-12-2005 | |
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| Title: | Bronze Cat Lamp | |
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| Date/Era/Period: | 1920-1940 | |
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| Description: | A cast iron cat lamp or lighting fixture of some kind. It has a light bulb at the end of its tail and a light bulb inside its head. When the light switch on the cord is activated the slitted green cat eyes light up beautifully. A straight line measurment from the front paws to the longest part of the curved tail is 16". It weighs 6 lbs. 2 oz. It's eyes are green glass. It must have been on some sort of stand at one time as you can see where it stood on something. I also believe there must have been some sort of lamp shade over the tail light bulb. When the 2 screws on either side of the head are loosened the head can be removed to expose the lightbulb inside the head. I can't find any markings except and inked 'A1' inside the head and 'A1' on the part of the lamp to which the head attaches. I couldn't get a good picture of that mark. | |
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| Condition: | The base on which it stood is missing. The tail lamp shade is missing. Both lights work. The cat is in very good condition with no damage that I can see. The cord and on/off switch on the cord are in very good condition. | |
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| Origin: | Purchased in Kanab, Utah at an Estate Sale this year, 2005. The relative of the previous owner knew nothing about the item. I have several additional pictures other than the 5 I'm sending if you would like to see them. | |
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| Appraised By: | Jeffrey Motsinger |
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| History Of The Item: | Unmarked, maker unknown. It is made of cast spelter with a bronze patina and most likely dates from 1920 to 1940--probably American-made. |
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| Appraiser Tips: | Can't see the underside too well in the photos but, perhaps, just some felt under the bottom would be sufficient--otherwise a replacement wooden base would have to be commisssioned. |
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| Research Sources: | P4A.com |
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| Appraiser Comments: | It is a boudoir lamp from the 1920s or 1930s. Not cast iron but cast spelter with a bronze or bronze-like coating. It is a a very charming lamp, especially for cat-lovers, and unusual, too because I've not seen one like it before. Real sad to know the original shade it gone, it was probably as neat as the rest of the item but may have only been of paper--unable to withstand the test of time. Yes, a new shade would add greatly to the value--things are almost always more valuable if they are ready-to-use and don't require work to make them good again. Most likely made in the Ohio valley area, the metal and the glass eyes, too. As it sits it should be worth $100 to $150 so you got a really good deal at only $10. |
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This online appraisal is an expert's opinion of the item(s) depicted above based solely on images and information supplied by our customer. Additional information, not shown on this certificate, may have been taken into account for this online Appraisal. Please Note: Our service strives to include the best international authorities in their respective fields. While the appraiser may be an expert in rendering the valuation, please understand that they may not be completely fluent in English. * Current Fair Market Value is the amount someone might receive when selling their item to a dealer or at auction. It is also the amount most government tax agencies (IRS, Revenue Canada, Inland Revenue, etc.) recognize as the tax deductible amount were the item donated to a charitable organization. ** Replacement Cost is the retail amount one might reasonably pay to purchase the item from a dealer, gallery, store, etc. It is also the amount for which one may want to insure an item. For currency conversion go to http://www.xe.net/ucc/full.shtml Whatsitworthtoyou.com |
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