Topic: flummoxed... lamp base?

[dinklepip]

Am absolutely flummoxed by this piece which I picked up at my local auction recently.  5.5".  Pastel pink opaque.  Quite heavy for its size and obviously "used" to be something before whatever was at the top was broken off.  Decanter / perfume bottle / vase ?  No idea on origin or maker either yikesssssss!!!

One for the experts please taaaaa.  Jen

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/cookiepops/pink1.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/cookiepops/pink3.jpg
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b47/cookiepops/pink1.jpg

[Frank]

Can you add a pictire of the top and bottom. Might have been a lamp base.

[Ivo]

I Agree with lamp base, the material is pink opaline and datewise this would be mid 19th ct.

[dinklepip]

hi guys, you know I did think lampbase but wouldnt there normally be a hole around the bottom, mind you they didnt have electricity in them days did they lol.

 Base is flat and even

[pamela]

have you ever tried to screw a hole into the bottom of a mould blown glass? GOOD LUCK 
imo electric wires (if already available at that time) were outside the base

[Frank]

Drilling holes is quite easy with the right bit and a little care. But lots of lighting has the cable going to the fitting with passing through the base.

See here for a potted history of electric light http://www.debook.com/Bulbs/lightbulbs.htm

Other types of lighting did exist too.

Ivo did you mean 19th century or mid-1900's?

[Ivo]

oil lamps are not very likely after 1900. Mid 19th ct. / probably 1860s-1890s - but I'd have to see  it 2Bsure.

[sph@ngw]

Bedside lamp base ( one of apair perhaps?) I would say but....... account needs to be taken between the switch from gas to electricity! Our predecesser in Vauxhall C.H. Kempton & Sons, Albert Works did masess of oil lamps between 1874 and 1910 but mainly in the Nailsea ripple style, so I would say 1890 to 1910 in date if electric. The painting is by hand I assume....
The lip looks like a string lip which might make a fitting difficult. Photos can mislead...and no drilled hole was necessary for a lamp when bulb holders had built in torpedo switch..( An electrics historian may be able to help!
I think there is something similar in the V&A ............