Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Vintage Thingies Thursday - Grandma's Lamps

Last week, my mom and her sister traveled from Kansas to North Carolina to visit. A round trip of 2997 miles for these 69 and 68 year old blue heads. We had a wonderful time and they loved our "falling down around our ears" home.

Carefully wrapped and safely tucked in the trunk of Mom's car were a pair of lamps that were once my Grandma Lawhon's. My earliest memories of my grandma include these lamps that flanked her sofa. They held such a fascination for me and I would spend a lot of time sitting on Grandma's sofa looking at and petting these lamps.

I was so excited when Mom said she was bringing these lamps that have been tucked in her attic for many years. Now they are mine! For the time being, they sit on a table in the upstairs hallway. Some day soon, they will be the lamps on the bedside tables in our master suite. Click on each picture to enlarge it so you can see the wonderful detail on these lamps.


Don't they look like they could grant you a wish if you rubbed them?

There are no markings on these lamps and I have never seen any like them. Knowing my grandma, she probably found them in her favorite thrift store back in the early 50's.

It has been a couple of weeks since I have participated in Vintage Thingies Thursday hosted by Suzanne at Coloradolady. I have missed all my friends and their wonderful vintage, antique and retro items. Why not click here and follow me to see what they are sharing this week?


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30 comments:

Kate said...

How interesting! I've never seen any lamps like this before!

★Carol★ said...

Hi Bea! I can see why you were so fascinated by these lamps as a child! I would have been too! I'm so happy for you, that they have come to live at your home now! Family treasures are the best!
Happy VTT!

Postcardy said...

Very unusual. I was wondering why you were petting them until I saw the part about wishes.

Lisa said...

How cool are those!!

Jenny in Maine said...

Bea, I love your lamps!! Would you please give them an extra rub, I could certainly use the extra wishes right now!! :)

Your blog is just toooo cute!!!

Unknown said...

Genie lamps should make all your dreams in the master br come true! LOL
My dad has about 5 of these pie plates. The originated in my Papou's basement. He was my mom's father.

JEWELGIRL said...

These lamps are super cool! Maybe
1940's or earlier when there was
a great interest in Mideastern
culture and design.

Sarah said...

Very unusual...black Moors maybe?

A Collector At Heart said...

I just love your lamps! And the fact that they belonged to your grandmother - WOW, what a keepsake to treasure for a lifetime!
Thanks for sharing your wonderful family heirlooms!
Hugs,
Cindy

Jane said...

Those are really interesting, yet cool, lamps. I think your grandma would be happy to know that they are staying in the family and are going to be proudly displayed in your bedroom. Kudos to your mom and aunt for driving from KS to NC....Thelma and Louise watch out!

Leilani said...

I'm new to "Vintage Thingies Thursday", and what a pleasure it has been to see all these wonderful treasures! It's also good to know that I'm not the only one who likes "old" thingies!

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

I can see why you are so fond of these lamps, they are stunning. I've never seen any like them before. Thanks for sharing them with us and hope you enjoy them.
Molly

Diann @ The Thrifty Groove said...

Very unique. I really like that. Enjoy them and as others have posted, give an extra rub for me! )

CC said...

Ohhhh, such wonderful lamps. Now..what to do with the three wishes
you've been granted?? Happy VTT.. have a lovely weekend.

Ulla said...

Be sure to show the lamps again when you have found the right shades for them.

marian said...

how lovely to be given these lamps that hold such fond memories for you :)

Coloradolady said...

Bea....you have been missed!! What great lamps, and yes, the look as if they could grant a wish. What type of shade are you going to try and use? I always have a hard time with shades for lamps. I have one now I need a shade for, and can not decide on anything!! Have a great weekend and a Happy VTT!!

Jocelyn said...

Wow what very interesting and unusual lamps. How sweet that your Mom shared them with you. Enjoy them.

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/

Old Time Cindy said...

I love anything that can connect good memories to a Grandmother, That's fab that you get her unique lamps.
Thanks for sharing!
Living it up Lakewood,
Cindy

Me said...

The lamps are absolutely awesome!

RachelD said...

These are known in the trade as "blackamoor lamps"---as in Othello.

They are quite in demand by decorators---see Ruby Lane's asking price:

http://www.rubylane.com/shops/pamelascollections/item/DE19200?gbase=1

What a lovely thing to have such a treasure from your childhood!! I hope your wishes are all granted.

LV said...

Just think every time you turn on the lamp what pleasant memories you will have. They are really unique.

Denise Marie said...

Bea, wow..I can just see this in a Morocan styled room with Indian fabrics. Anyways, I LOVE your blog bling. My girlfriend is trying to get up and running and her blog is bizzyqueenbee.blogspot.com/
If you have a bored moment she would adore your help!!

Candace said...

Great lamps - I remember seeing some like this as a child! How neat that your mom brought them to you and I'm glad to hear they will be used!
Cheers!

Roslyn said...

Love your genie lamps, I haven't ever seen any like this either.

Busy Bee Suz said...

Those are so unique. How lucky that you know own them...good to have things in your home tied to good memories. suz

Barbara Jean said...

Hi Bea.

thanks for coming by

i can honestly say, i have never seen lamps like those before.
They are unique pieces.

blessings

barbara jean

Unknown said...

I've had to stop buying lamps :) I bought three in short period and they arent the thing kind of things you can just stick somewhere! lol....

everyone was starting to say...um, another lamp? gee?

CC said...

Hi Bea...
I have an award for you over on my blog, if you would like it. I know some bloggers choose not to accept awards..and if that's the case, I certainly understand. The award is for super sweet bloggers that love to visit and always leave such sweet comments.

Anonymous said...

eeek. Those are ta die for lamps. I can see why you were so excited. Finding just the right lampshade will be so much fun because there are so many ways you can go. I can't wait to see!