French Country · Encyclopedia · Antiques by family
Lighting and Mirrors
Chandeliers, sconces, lanterns, lamps and the great family of French mirrors, from trumeaux to Venetian glass. Each entry explains what the object is, how to identify and date it, what to check before buying, and what it is usually worth on the US market. 14 entries.
Lamps & Shades
Floor Lamp
Indicative US retail $150–$4,000 · typical $600
Standing lamps, including bridge lamps, torchières and mid-century arc lamps. Cast-iron or bronze bases and original finials mark 1920s bridge lamps; mid-century lamps often carry maker labels (Stilnovo, Arteluce, Lunel).
Oil Lamp
Indicative US retail $50–$1,500 · typical $200
Kerosene and oil lamps, from glass Aladdin lamps to hurricane and banquet lamps. The burner reveals the maker: Plume & Atwood, Bradley & Hubbard, Aladdin or the German Kosmos stamp their names on the wick knob or collar.
Table Lamp
Indicative US retail $100–$2,500 · typical $400
Antique and vintage table lamps, from bronze and porcelain bases to Art Deco figural lamps. Look under the base for a maker's mark, a drilled hole (a conversion) or a felt pad hiding repairs.
French Lantern
Indicative US retail $150–$3,000 · typical $600
Hall lanterns in bronze and glass or iron and tole, plus outdoor lanterns. The glass is the fragile part: original panels are thin, sometimes beveled or curved, and slide into grooves in the frame; replacing curved glass is costly.
Lamp Shade
Indicative US retail $30–$600 · typical $120
Glass, silk, slag-glass and parchment shades. Glass shades should be checked for chips at the fitter rim, cracks and missing pieces in leaded panels; reverse-painted shades should keep their paint intact.
Stiffel Lamp
Indicative US retail $100–$1,200 · typical $350
American brass lamps made by Stiffel from the 1930s, a mid-century staple. Look for "Stiffel" stamped on the brass socket, the base or a label on the felt; some later lamps have paper labels.
Mirrors & Trumeaux
Antique Mirror
Indicative US retail $300–$8,000 · typical $1,200
Wall, mantel and floor mirrors, from French gilt overmantels to Art Deco beveled glass. Turn the mirror around.
Vanity & Dresser Mirror
Indicative US retail $80–$900 · typical $250
Tilting table mirrors and dresser mirrors. The swivel hardware should be original and hold the glass at an angle without slipping.
Venetian Mirror
Indicative US retail $400–$8,000 · typical $1,500
Mirrors with etched glass frames, made in Murano and copied widely. Look closely at the etching: hand-engraved flowers have slight variations and depth, while later acid-etched or sandblasted patterns are flatter and more regular.
Floor Mirror
Indicative US retail $400–$5,000 · typical $1,500
Full-length standing or cheval mirrors. Check the pivot mechanism, which should hold the glass at any angle; the plate for silvering loss; and the base for stability.
Mantel Mirror & Trumeau
Indicative US retail $800–$10,000 · typical $2,500
A large mirror above a fireplace; the French trumeau combines a mirror with a painted panel. Trumeaux are often painted in gray, cream or green with partial gilding; check whether the painted panel is original oil on canvas or a later print.
Chandeliers & Pendants
Antique Chandelier
Indicative US retail $500–$12,000 · typical $2,000
Ceiling lights with crystal, bronze, iron or tole, from Louis XV cages to Italian Murano and 1950s Maison Baguès. Count the arms and check the condition of each: soldered repairs, replaced bobèches and mismatched crystals are common.
Pendant Light
Indicative US retail $100–$2,000 · typical $400
Hanging lights from industrial enamel shades to opaline glass globes. French opaline and Holophane glass pendants are sought after; check glass for chips and cracks, enamel for losses and rust, and wiring for safety.
Wall Sconces
Wall Sconce
Indicative US retail $200–$4,000 · typical $800
Wall-mounted lights, often sold in pairs; French bronze and crystal appliques. Sconces were made in pairs or sets of four, so singles sell at a strong discount; check that a pair truly matches in casting and size.
How we write these guides: identification notes are general guidance written by French Country; a style name, a region or a resemblance does not by itself date or attribute a piece. Price ranges are indicative US retail asking prices for antique and vintage examples in sound condition (dealers, specialist marketplaces and auctions), estimated and rounded as of November 2026; check recent sold results before relying on a figure. They are not appraisals or offers to buy or sell: condition, provenance and documentation can move a value far outside the range. For insurance, estates or sales, ask an independent, qualified appraiser for a written valuation.