Identify Handel Lamps

Handel lamps were a competitor to the Tiffany brand of lamps during the early 1900s. Famous for its painted- and lead-glass shade designs, the company went out of business in 1936. Identifying Handel lamps can be a difficult process. A complete Handel lamp will need to have both a Handel base and the correct Handel shade. Finding the identification marks on the base is a simple process, but finding the markings on the shade may take a little more effort.

Instructions

1. Remove the shade from the base of the lamp. The shade will lift off easily. Turn the base of the lamp and examine the underside. Most markings will be on the underside of the base. If the lamp base was made by Handel there will be a stamp or label. The letters should be raised and a patent number will be readable. There are a few models in which the mark was placed near the top of the base.

2. Examine the shade. Handel shades are marked with the company's name and may also be signed by the artist. Focus the flashlight on the underside of the shade along the edge. These markings may be very difficult to see. Once found, there should be Handel's name and a four-digit number.

3. Use websites such as oldlampvalues.com to help determine what the value and rarity of the lamp may be. A number of online appraisal sites such as antiquelampco.com will be able to determine value of your lamp. Typical Handel lamps sell from just a few hundred dollars to up to $8,000, depending on the artist that created the shade art.

Tags: base lamp, Handel lamps