How To Tell If A Thrift Store Lamp Is Worth Anything
If there's one rule about thrifting, it's that you should always check the thrift store for bedroom decor, including vintage lamps. Whether you adore a vintage aesthetic, collect one-of-a-kind decor, or pick up items to resell, it can be thrilling to know that you've found a gorgeous lamp at a great value. What makes a thrift store lamp worth something? If it's vintage, made by a well-known designer, or made with especially rare or high-quality materials, it could be worth much more than its sticker price. You can usually identify a high-value lamp by examining the power cord, noting the base and lampshade materials, and checking for a sticker or signature on the bottom.
The location itself may also tell you about a lamp's value. Even if they're cleaning house, most people know the value of their possessions and would prefer to sell these kinds of lamps rather than donate. You're less likely to find a really valuable lamp at your neighborhood Goodwill, but that's not to say it doesn't happen! Finding an old lamp at an estate sale could suggest that it's been in the family for generations, and finding a lamp at a dedicated vintage or antique shop means the item has likely been vetted already. Then again, some crafty sellers could be pulling your leg with a vintage look-alike, so it's crucial to know how to spot the fakes, too. Check these details if you think you've stumbled upon some luminescent treasure.
Electrical cords, stickers, and materials can indicate value
There are a few key signs that may indicate a lamp is vintage or antique. First, take a look at the electrical cord and prongs. Plugs made before the 1970s were usually non-polarized, so they will have two prongs of the same size. The cord itself may be cotton-wrapped, twisted, or braided. However, some people will replace the original wiring of an antique lamp to make it safe for use today, so don't let this be your only indicator.
Next, examine the lamp for stickers or labels. If it has none, it could be an antique. In contrast, the presence of any stickers likely suggests that the item was made post-1940, when self-adhesive stickers became widely used in manufacturing. You might also spot a brand name. Some highly coveted lamp designers include Tiffany Studios, Pairpoint, Handel, Murano, Emeralite, Bellova, Artemide, and Stilnovo, among many others. In lieu of a sticker, handwritten markings like signatures and model numbers can also clue you in on a lamp's value.
If you still aren't sure when or where this lamp was created, zoom in on the materials themselves. Does the lamp feel heavy in your hands? A lamp made with leaded glass, ceramic, cast iron, marble, chrome, or Bakelite is usually worth more than a plastic lamp, even if it isn't vintage. Assuming it hasn't been changed over the years, the lampshade may be made of glass, silk, or linen or have "dated" details like glass beads, tassels, fringe, or lace.
Lamps with these details probably aren't worth much
A vintage Tiffany lamp is one lamp you should never skip if you happen to see it at the thrift, but there are many modern lookalikes. How can you spot cheap lamps and vintage imitations? A government-mandated foil safety sticker is a tell-tale sign that the lamp was made after the 1990s. A sticker of origin, like one that says "made in China" or "made in India," also practically guarantees that the lamp was made recently and at little cost. However, lamps with a "made in Italy" sticker or stamp could be the real deal; Italy produced some of the most famous and innovate designers of the 20th century.
Plastic parts are another easy indicator that your thrift store lamp isn't actually a valuable treasure. Plastic buttons and switches, stiff cords, polyester lampshades, and plastic beads are all relatively modern inventions. In contrast to the heavy, durable materials of decades past, modern lamps tend to feel lightweight overall.
If all else fails, a quick internet search may bring some peace of mind. A look-alike lamp could show up in recent listings on Amazon or Wayfair. If you suspect that an item is authentic, look to antique appraisal experts and websites like Ebay and Etsy to see if any have listed this lamp — and what value they've assigned to it. Of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and a thrift store lamp doesn't need to be valuable to look gorgeous in your home. Alternatively, if you strike out in the lighting department, use other thrifted items for a DIY designer-worthy lamp.