source for light bulbs

[Alexander]

Does anyone know if there is a source for older style light bulbs? I have a fixture that has heavy candles that had flame bulbs in it with the wider base. There are many out there that are smooth or slightly textured but the old ones were very ornate and deeply textured reminding me of some Christmas light bulbs of long ago. I remember them as a child and they had a wash over them that was cream colored. ( perhaps it was wood smoke grime). Either way modern bulbs look silly even the flame ones just do not look right.

I had friends in for lunch and they looked at my house and ask me of I had enough lighting fixtures. I said no and I was fortunate enough to be invited to take 7 lighting fixtures from 1906 that were stored in an attic wrapped in 1948 news paper. the house was build in 1868 and wired in 1906. They were moved to the attic when the lighting was updated in 1948 and every screw and bracket was packed with each fixture. I have washed the wonderful globes and am looking for the right bulbs for those that were not intended to have globes.

thank you.........Alexander

[cs]

Hmmm... well there's Rejuvenation, of course. http://www.rejuvenation.com/location26/ ... group.html There seems to be a couple of amber bulbs with the texture you are looking for, but maybe not quite the right color... and a number of "hand painted bulbs" that seem to have the cream (they seem to call it "gold") wash that you want - but not the texture.

Chris
http://www.saracenihouse.com

[Daniel Meyer]

If they make it, these guys have it:
http://www.1000bulbs.com/category/antique-light-bulbs/

Click the different categories to see all the types.

Great service too, I've used them for several projects.

[sooth]

I know that Wal-Mart carries some that have a light orange with an iridescent rainbow shine to them (similar to the ones shown in the link below) for pretty cheap. It depends the exact ones you're looking for. The ones below are perfect for Mogul lamps, but if you're after the ones with more of a peach colour, they are harder to find, and there was a post last year about them (and where they can be bought).

http://ak.buy.com/PI/0/500/227416260.jpg

[Alexander]

Thank you for all the advice. the ones I remember looked like they were made by a cake decorator and very ornate glass that looked like the flame in the Stature of Liberty. I know that is a bit over the top but they were in a hanging chandelier and were more custard colored I am sure there was a wash over them and it make them look like flames a bit. My chandelier has fat Brass candle like based that would hold a flame bulb. I can use the ones from the lighting stores but I was just hoping that there was a source for the older torch like bulbs.

Thanks again I will search for the earlier thread,

Alexander

[sooth]

What you're describing sounds more like the flame design glass shades... It might help if you were able to find a photo of the lights you're talking about.

[Alexander]

Sooth,

You are right. I did some snooping around on line and found what I remember. Torch shades that look like flames and I found a site that sells them. When I see them today ( it was 45 years ago I saw the other ones) I wonder how I thought they were bulbs. thanks so much......

Alexander

[sooth]

Not a problem. I've been dabbling/researching quite a bit of info/pictures on early 1900's lighting, and I had not seen what you were trying to describe, so that was the only other similar option.

FWIW, "bare bulb" fixtures tend to look good with "candle" style (think old Christmas light shape) clear bulbs, or clear round bulbs like you see over 1990's bathroom vanities. But it's really a matter of preference. You could also use flame bulbs, but if they hang downwards (which most do), they might look funny.

[Alexander]

This chandelier is lovely. It is heavy brass hanging down about 2 feet and has 4 pieces of glass at the bottom that are swirled a bit and looks like a white sea shell. There is a light behind that to give down lighting. Around the brass, top rim there are 4 sockets encased in Acanthus leaves that look like candle bases. These sit up so there is down lighting as well as the four lights that look like candles to me. I am torn as my 1911 house has no original fixtures and I bought some beautiful ones over the past few years and they look great. An early electric that looks like a gas fixture in the foyer, a hanging "Tiffany" lamp in the dining room with ornate fretwork and amber and green swirl glass. Then just as I was thinking all was well a friend gave me 7 fixtures from a house that was wired in 1909 I think. Several match ( sort of) as the canopies are the same and they have the same motifs but some are a different scale. Do I now take out all the fixtures and replace them with this " set" or figure out what I like best and go with it and find a home for the rest. One even had a big old Edison light bulb still in it. The largest looks like it belongs in a dining room with a center pan shade and 5 ball shades hanging around it all in frosted glass cut to clean in a flower design. Everything was wrapped in 1948 newspaper, clearly when they updated the lighting.

I will take a picture of the chandelier and post it.

thanks again..Alexander

[sooth]

I'd love to see pictures. As for what lights to use where? That'll be up to you. I would try to stick with matching fixtures through most of the home with maybe certain specific/different ones in select rooms. Lighting that is in keeping with the age of the house will also tend to work/look better. In my 1923 house, I'm using fixtures (all in generally the same style) from 1910-1920, with the exception of slightly more modern fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen.