Emeralite lamps is a name very familiar with collectors around the world, and rightfully so as these lamps have a remarkable past dating back to the early 1900s. Explore the history of Emeralite antique table lamps.
There are a variety of recognized Emeralite lamps. Those beautiful brass desk lamps
and floor lamps with the blue-green cased shades, or how about the
Emeralite and Bellova lamps were the creation of Harrison McFaddin. Back in 1909 the first Emeralite lamp was produced and in May of that year McFaddin's patent application was approved. The patent was for a new original lamp shade that would become a part of these lamps for the next 50 years.
Today's Emeralite table lamps are no different than there antique table lamps
except for a few differences which are easily identifiable by a collector.
Emeralite lamps are associated with the simple brass bases and the green over white cased glass shades. The angles on the shades are all round with no sharp corners and the cased glass was made with an opal white inside layer and then the colored glass on the outside which was usually green but there were infact other colors.
The shades were produced at the J. Schreiber and Neffen glass factory located in Rapotin in the Czech Republic. The contract ensured that they produced these shades for only McFaddin and in return McFaddin agreed to purchase a substantial volume each year. During their busiest years the half of the glass factory was dedicated strictly to the production of shades for McFaddin.
There are actually four periods of production surrounding the emeralites lamps. The first period started in 1909 and ended in 1916 and is with the 4378 series. The shades from this era had 2 holes that were used to attach the armature of the base. They could swivel or be locked into place.
The second period started in 1916 and ended in the early 1930s with the 8734 series. The lamps of this era are the lamps that earned the Emeralite name. The shades from this era did not have any holes but they were indented on the back and sides so that newly patented armature would fit. This new armature had clamps that held the shade snuggly. The clamps made it very easy to remove the shade for cleaning or replacement.
The third period began in the 1930s and ended by 1935 producing the series 9. The shape of the shades and techniques used to produce the shades remained relatively constant but they were larger and used two bulbs instead of the single bulb. The new shades measures 10 to 12 inches rather than the old 8 1/2 inches. The newer shades clamped onto the base at the back with an indent that allowed for snug fitting. They were easy to remove for cleaning or replacement.
The final period began around 1935 and continues to modern day. These lamps have not interest to collectors but of course are popular to the consumer for outstanding additions to ones home décor. The collector is interested in the antique lamps specifically those from before the war.
The Bellova lamps were introduced in 1923. Unlike the shades of the Emeralite lamps the Bellova shades were available in many colors and they were also available with an acid etched, painted, reverse painted, and air brushed finish. The Bellova shades will fit the Emeralite 8734 and No 9 lamps which really provides some interesting choices.
Shades are often found in russet brown, chamois, rose, rhodolite, as well as an opaque and marbleized finish. They were also available in the reverse painting in either a geometric or floral design.
Harrison McFaddin produced several other lines of lamps that are certainly worth exploring.
All Emeralite shades were signed and so were the Bellova shades. There were two methods of signature. One was a silver ink stamp, the other a 2' rectangular decal. The ink mark is easily identifiable however the decals often disappear over the years making it much more difficult to identify the glass.
The signature is made up of a of a four petal flower placed inside two concentric circles. The outside edge of the circles at the top reads Bellova or Emeralite and the bottom edge reads Czechoslovakia.
Collectors are well aware of the Emeralite antique lamps but what many may not have realized is that the shades were produced in Czechoslovakia rather than within the McFaddin factory in New York.
