Lamp Week, Lesson One: Outstanding Opaline

photo:Nathan Schroeder, designer: Craig Schumacher, courtesy of House Beautiful.
A pair of blue Opaline glass lamps are given new life with contemporary shades.

You know how it is. You can go for days, weeks, months without really focusing on something, but once you do, you see it everywhere? Well, that's how I'm feeling about lamps. Yes, that's right, good ol' lamps. I'm rearranging my space and will need a slimmer pair of them. Since my existing ones don't appear to be going on Weight Watchers any time soon, I've been looking around and noticing wonderful, weird, warm welcoming lamps all over the place--so many great pairs, in fact, that, in an Auction Addict first, I am devoting a whole week (or rather, what's left of it) to a single topic. And so, I bring you...ta daa...

LAMP WEEK

A jazzy Markham Roberts designed entryway with a pair of blue Opaline lamps.
Again, note how the updated shades take them from frumpy to fabulous.

The first type of lamps we're going to look at are Opaline glass lamps. I was inspired by the October issue of House Beautiful, specifically page 114 (top photo), where we see how designer Craig Shumacher used a pair of Opaline glass lamps to provide a welcome shot of color in his dining room.

Before we go any further, you might be wondering what Opaline is, exactly. The term technically refers to a style of opaque, colored glass that was produced in France during the 19th century by Baccarat and other less universally known manufacturers. The French were imitating the milky white glassware they saw emanating from Bristol, England and Venice, Italy. Opaline was produced in white, yes, but also yellow, sea green,  pink, and, the interior designer favorite: turquoise blue. The glass has a high lead content but is demi-crystal, not crystal, and is rarely faceted. Opaline was frequently used for vases, bowls. cups and dresser sets. Today, the term is used more broadly to describe almost any opaque, colored glass.

Okay, history lesson over--now on to the good stuff! I mentioned that turquoise Opaline is a favorite of many interior designers. Do you think Markham Roberts has an obsession or anything?

Turquoise Opaline in Markham Roberts designed dining room.

 

...and living room.

 That's okay, I love them too! And fortunately, several lovely examples are up for bidding in the weeks to come. On October 2nd, Leslie Hindman in Chicago has two fantastic pairs, as tall and slender as supermodels.(If you can scoop these up for anything close to the estimate, you should: antique dealers ask $3,000+ a pair for these and up.)

What's your pleasure? Milky white with gilt bronze accents, estimate $800-1200, or brilliant blue, below, estimate $1,500-2,500.

Three Opaline glass lamps, at Stair on Friday, September 23rd, estimate $300-500.

If these aren't the shape you seek, consider the sweet trio at Stair Galleries in Hudson, NY, above, or this butter yellow one, below, at Susanin's in Chicago, which clearly falls into the category of 20th century Opaline glass.

Yellow Opaline glass lamp, at Susanin's in Chicago on September 24th, estimate $100-200.

 For a final bit of inspiration, look how pretty this pink Opaline lamp looks among the sherbert tones in this stunning master bedroom. More lamps to come soon. In the interim, happy bidding everyone!

photo, courtesy of Elle Decor (I'd tell you more, but the photo is no longer up on their site!)