How to buy antique lighting

Margaret Lewis, Lighting Restorer at Fritz Fryer, offers her expert guidance on the good and bad signs to look out for when browsing antique lighting

When searching for antique lighting how can we be sure to spot a good buy?

Look for quality, heavy fittings with fine, crisp castings and good design. Avoid flimsy lights. They may be pretty but are often uneconomical to restore.

What are the warning signs that a piece is beyond salvation?

Dents, kinks, missing or broken parts, splits in seams. Dents and kinks can be impossible to iron out successfully so, if you want a perfect result, don’t touch it. Missing or broken parts, especially crystals, are expensive to replace. Even lights in apparently good condition can have hidden problems such as old flex stuck in the arms or previous ‘cowboy’ repairs.

What is the potential cost of repair?

Professional restoration is expensive. At Fritz Fryer, rewiring an average table lamp costs around £90. This includes using all new electrical components, cotton covered twist flex plus a light clean and a PAT (portable appliance testing) safety test. A modest fivearm brass chandelier costs around £300-£400 for the same treatment but repairs will add to the cost.

Should vintage lamps always be rewired by an electrician?

Most antique lights will need to be rewired. Regulations change, as do the quality specifications of components, and lights sold ‘in working condition’ should have a PAT test sticker not more than two or three years old. Never rewire a lamp yourself. Have your lamp properly rewired by a fully qualified restorer and then get it PAT tested.