Chalkware TV Lamps

Chalkware TV lamps have always been seen as poor relations to their ceramic counterparts, lacking the beautiful, glossy finish found on glazed pottery. But chalkware (plaster) lamps have their own merits, often possessing brilliant coloration and distinctive, unusual designs. One unfortunate aspect of these plaster lamps is their poor durability, and it's rare to find one that doesn't possess some visible damage. Paint flakes are common, and plaster is very susceptible to chipping/crumbling with only minor impact. Collectors tend to take this fragile nature into account, and small defects have little effect on value.

	value:  rarity: This ballerina is an elegant design, and one of the least common L.M. Fielack TV lamps. Photos courtesy of eBay seller, explorer.
	They wanted to make sure you didn't exceed 25 watts, so Fielack marked it right on the lamp.
	The lace paint-work adds a lot to this one!
	One more look.
	value:  rarity: This beautiful chalkware TV lamp has detail that is lacking on most plaster lamps. Photos courtesy of John from Good Riddance Auctions.
	A closer look shows the care put into this lamp.
	Another detail view, this one showing some of the wear that invariably occurs on chalkware items.
	The back reveals the colored shade which disperses the light and makes an attractive glow.
	value:  rarity: Often worse for wear, this Puccini TV lamp is in fine condition for a chalkware item. Photos courtesy of Eddie Carire, Brooklyn NY.
	Back view of the Puccini leopard.
	value:  rarity: Columbia Statuary's leopard is nicely detailed and colored. The same TV lamp can be found with a Puccini marking. Photos courtesy of an anonymous eBayer.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: Rather than copy the ceramic TV lamps, the chalkware makers went their own direction, creating with strong color and bold designs. This lion is unmarked. Photo courtesy of Khrys from Canada.
	value:  rarity: While it's not unheard of to combine a TV lamp with candle holders, it's fairly rare. This chalkware german shepherd lamp, acquired from the late Tom Santiso's collection, does indeed have two built-in candle holders. Photo courtesy of Douglas Siska from Pecks Pond, PA.
	value:  rarity: Really now, what do you suppose they were thinking of when they designed this?! "Hey guys, why not focus in on the huge, untapped market for sofa lamps?" Photos courtesy of The2Gurlz, Haverhill, MA.
	Back view of the couch...at least the cat hasn't clawed it!
	A close-up of the Pittsburgh Statuary marking shows a date of 1957.
	value:  rarity: There's something about chalkware lamps, perhaps their use of paint applied straight to the plaster, that allowed for a directness of expression that is typically absent in ceramic TV lamps. I'd be scared to walk past this one! Photos courtesy of John Ritchie from Toronto, Ontario.
	A look at the back of the chalkware panther. The marking reads "Use 25 Watt Only".
	value:  rarity: This "Indian on the hunt" number is one of the more common, and interesting, chalkware TV lamps. Photos courtesy of an anonymous donation from Hot Springs, SD.
	The back of the indian lamp reveals the intended location for the light fixture, which was never installed.
	Here's the intended location for the light switch.
	value:  rarity: This Puccini ballerina TV lamp is one of their best. Photos courtesy of Bid Brothers, Portland, Oregon.
	A look at the back of the ballerina lamp reveals the fiberglass shade used to diffuse the light.
	A close-up shows the detail applied to this Puccini lamp. Painted detail was added not only to the plaster portion, but also to the fiberglass background.
	Puccini typically stamped their name into their products.
	value:  rarity: The Puccini Art Novelty Co. did another variation on the ballerina theme, this one posed with a harp. Photos courtesy of Char Korcz.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: Though not common, this chalkware poodle was popular and can be found at auction once in a while. Photos courtesy of Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	Fiberglass "shades" were often used to diffuse the light.
	value:  rarity: Given the wild paint sometimes applied to plaster TV lamps, this one is tastefully understated. Photos courtesy of John Reuter from Saint Petersburg, Florida.
	Rock O'Stone went all-out in creating an aggressive looking panther!
	value:  rarity: In stark contrast to their panther, the Rock O'Stone ballerina TV lamp is the essence of subdued grace. (did I say that?) Photos courtesy of a donor from La Sarre, Quebec.
	Back view of the Rock O'Stone ballerina lamp.
	The ballerina's marking includes the copyright number.
	value:  rarity: It's not often that TV lamps can be described as provocative, but this vampish lady certainly turns up the heat! This one bucked the trend for chalkware lamps to have low value, as it brought more than $130 at auction. The unmarked lamp has a fiberglass shade to disperse the light. Photos courtesy of Rachael from Quitman, Louisiana.
	Here's the chalkware lamp as viewed from above.
	rarity: This unmarked chalkware TV lamp is elegantly designed and beautifully colored. Photo courtesy of Brian Moore from Groveport, Ohio.
	value:  rarity: After acquiring hundreds of ceramic TV lamps, this is my first chalkware lamp. The use of a female matador adds charm to this interesting design. It is marked "Melrose-Lamps Co." on the back.
	Back view of the lady matador TV lamp.
	value:  rarity: This great unmarked chalkware lamp features a tropical motif, a subject that was quite popular in the day.
	Here's a close-up of the exotic, if dusty, native woman.
	value:  rarity: This is one of the most common chalkware TV lamps, and is also the most dynamic design. It is marked, "PAN 300". Photos courtesy of Bob Acton, Jasper, IN.
	Back view of the chalkware deer.
	value:  rarity: Oriental themes, Oriental women in particular, showed up often as the subject of lamps. This one was made by L.M. Fielack. Photos courtesy of Larry Trexler from Sherrill, N.Y.
	Fiberglass shades were often used to diffuse the light, and helped give designs an atmospheric quality.
	Here's a close-up of our Oriental woman.
	A back view shows the fixture and shade.
	By the fixture is the L.M. Fielack marking.
	value:  rarity: Ballerina TV lamps are not uncommon, but seldom as nice as this example from Favor-Ware. Photos courtesy of Sherry Cooper from Canada.
	Chalkware items often show their age, but this ballerina TV lamp is "new-old stock"...having just emerged from storage, in its original box, since the '60s! Ever seen the fiberglass shade on a TV lamp look this white?
	Here she is in all her glory! I start getting emotional when I see one of these lit-up...snif, snif...
	This is another new-old-stock Favor-Ware ballerina, this time in white. Photos courtesy of Sherry Cooper from Canada.
	The paint on these lamps is perfect!
	As with the pink one, the cord is still in its original, protective wrap.
	value:  rarity: Unrestrained by the limitations of ceramic glaze, the chalkware manufacturers enjoyed more latitude where decorative finishes were concerned. The result was evident in designs like this colorful leopard by Florence Art. Photos courtesy of a contribution from Lorain, Ohio.
	Florence Art is stamped into the back of the leopard TV lamp.
	Another view.
	Here's Florence Art's panther lit-up in all its menacing glory!
	value:  rarity: Nifty poodle TV lamp from L.M. Fielack! Photos courtesy of Jacqueline from Long Island, NY.
	Warming its fanny at the fire.
	Back view.
	Here's a look at the L.M. Fielack marking.
	value:  rarity: Anyone who isn't impressed by chalkware lamps hasn't seen one in perfect condition...this is a beauty! Photos courtesy of Sherry Cooper from Canada.
	This Ornamental Arts moose TV lamp just awoke from a few decades in a warehouse...and just removed from its original box! The antlers are plastic.
	Here's the moose's backside.
	One last look at this impressive moose TV lamp.
	value:  rarity: Similar in design to the moose, this deer TV lamp is another nice design from Ornamental Arts & Crafts. Photos courtesy of Sherry Cooper from Canada.
	...and like the moose, this deer lamp is new-old-stock.
	Another picture of the Ornamental Arts deer TV lamp.
	value:  rarity: I like all of these lamps from Ornamental Arts, but this elk is my favorite! Photos courtesy of Sherry Cooper from Canada.
	Back view.
	This image shows the marking on the elk TV lamp.
	One last look!
	value:  rarity: This one has to be the jewel in Ornamental Arts & Crafts crown. After all the reverent views of nature shown above, it's obvious that something different is going on here! Seldom was humor used so blatantly in TV lamp design... and to such great effect. Photos courtesy of Linda Knauss of Indianapolis, Indiana.
	I believe these boys have been on their last hunt!
	Back view.
	Note the look of satisfaction. There's no better feeling than returning home from a successful hunt!
	value:  rarity: The Silvestri Bros. used a common Oriental subject for this TV lamp, but added their own twist by incorporating a wishing well. Photo courtesy of John from Bedford, Ohio.
	The Oriental lamp has the Silvestri Bros. marking on the bottom, as well as the patent number.
	This vintage advertisement shows the lamp pictured above. The ad shows the lamp with greenery in place, and it was most likely included with the lamp.
	value:  rarity: I've seen at least one other TV lamp with a bear as the subject, but this is the only "multiple bear" lamp I've come across! Photos courtesy of Tom from Meriden, CT.
	Here's a dual view, showing each end of CastleArt's bear lamp.
	One last view, this one a look from above.
	value:  rarity: This lovely Madonna and Child TV lamp is in excellent condition! Photos courtesy of Lin from Gloucester, MA.
	Back view of the Columbia Madonna TV lamp.
	The back is clearly marked Columbia Statuary Inc. © 1966. The year 1966 appears on a large number of Columbia Statuary products.
	value:  rarity: This was probably the most successful Rock O'Stone TV lamp. The bold paint work on this terrier makes it a real stand-out! Photo courtesy of Brenda from Fort Smith, Arkansas.
	value:  rarity: This is without a doubt the most frequently found A.N. Brooks TV lamp. It has an unusual "flocked" finish, which is a felt-like material, probably sprayed on, that's a bit like the texture of old "Hush Puppies" shoes...remember those? Photos courtesy of Steve & Kathy from Red Oak, Iowa.
	This view shows the top and back of the Brooks Cocker Spaniel TV lamp.
	Inside the Spaniel is the Brooks marking, with a foil label for good measure.
	Such a lovable face.
	"C'mon boy, play dead!"
	value:  rarity: Let's cut to the chase...this thing is ugly, but you can't fault Universal Statuary for being original! This lamp is not at all representative of Universal's designs, as most have a far-eastern, Victorian, Classical or Early American motif. Photos courtesy of TKR Collectibles- Central Illinois.
	Back view.
	A closer look reveals the decorative color added... wow!
	value:  rarity: Anyone yearning to adorn their new TV with the image of a leaping fish could have done worse than purchase one of these chalkware beauties by Zerbini!
	Back view.
	The Zerbini marking as it appears on their trout lamp.
	value:  rarity: I find this Premco TV lamp fascinating because of the material used in its construction. Whereas other Premco TV lamps are ceramic, this oriental design is plaster, making it a rare example of a pottery manufacturer opting to produce a chalkware product. Photos courtesy of an eBayer from the great state of Maine.
	Here she is all lit-up... real pretty!
	Here's the back of it.
	value:  rarity: Another L.M. Fielack doggie TV lamp, this one of two Scotties. Photos courtesy of Jamie from Brooklyn, New York.
	Here's the perky puppies basking in the glow.
	The L.M. Fielack marking is found on the back.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: I.A.S. put considerable detail, sculptural and decorative, into this chalkware ship lamp. Photos courtesy of Wayne from Alabama.
	The ship lamp still has the original cloth-covered cord and bakelite plug.
	It's clearly marked © 1935 I.A.S. Co.
	value:  rarity: This elegant Last Supper TV lamp by Sculpture Ware is similar to a Helmscene in that it uses a framed transparent image. Photos courtesy of Sara from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
	Back view.
	It is marked Sculpture Ware Co. 1955.
	The Last Supper image is marked Copyright 1934 N. G. Basevi. Funny, I thought Leonardo DaVinci painted that one!
	value:  rarity: A charming design, this Florence Art TV lamp "borrows" heavily from the work of Hedi Schoop.  Photos courtesy of George Martin of Little Valley, NY.
	Our oriental woman is clearly marked on the back.
	value:  rarity: Similar in design to the one above, the theme of this Florence Art TV lamp is quite different.  Photos courtesy of an eBayer from Cheshire, Ohio.
	Another view.
	Back view.
	Our ballerina lamp is marked © Florence Art on the back.
	value:  rarity: Looking rather like a lamp by A.N. Brooks, this Pacific Novelty Cocker Spaniel and Puppies TV lamp is a nice one! Photos courtesy of the fine folks at ShabbytownUSA.
	Back view of the Pacific Novelty lamp.
	One more look!
	value:  rarity: Stylistically similar to many ceramic TV lamps to come, CSM's ship is detailed and nicely colored. Photos courtesy of James and Claudia from Mount Vernon, Ohio.
	Back view.
	I believe this bulb is as old as the lamp!
	It is marked on the back, © CSM 1935.
	value:  rarity: Musical instruments occasionally were the subject of TV lamps, as in this one from Melrose Lamps. Photos courtesy of Rita from upstate New York.
	Close-up.
	Here it is in all its illuminated glory!
	value:  rarity: Now this one is different! M.T.A. Co. came up with a unique design for their horse TV lamp. Photos courtesy of Dallas from Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
	Close-up.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: This TV lamp from Melrose-Lamps has to be the most charming design ever rendered in plaster. The skill put into sculpting the lamp, and the beautifully executed details, make this one a winner! Photos courtesy of an eBayer from Lebanon, PA.
	The back reveals a small fiberglass shade that casts a glow around the children's legs.
	Here's the © Melrose marking.
	value:  rarity: One of the most beautiful chalkware TV lamps I've seen, this Madonna and Child by Michigan Artistic Creation is dated 1958. Photos courtesy of Mama D from Browerville, Minnesota.
	One can easily see the care put into the detailed paint application.
	Side view.
	The bottom is marked, Mich Artistic Creation © 1958 Detroit Mich.
	value:  rarity: Seldom-seen chalkware Horse TV lamp by L.M. Fielack. Photos courtesy of an eBayer from Connecticut.
	Close-up.
	Back view.
	L.M. Fielack marking as found on the back of the horse lamp.
	value:  rarity: Although not a TV lamp in the strictest sense, I had to include this ambitious creation from Columbia Statuary. At 16½" tall (not including fixture), this tropical lady would dominate any room! Photos courtesy of Richard from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
	Our exotic lady is the picture of serenity!
	The Columbia Statuary folks detailed this lamp with great care.
	Back view. It is marked, Columbia Statuary Co. ©G.P. 1878. The "G.P." could be "C.P.", and the 1878 has to be a model number, not the date!
	value:  rarity: This chalkware Bertie Butorac "Prom Queen" TV lamp can be found with different colors applied to her dress and hair.
	Back view. Rather large, our prom queen is 12" tall and 19" across!
	She's marked Bertie Butorac ©1952 #1105.
	Same Butorac as above, this one with different colors. I've seen this design numerous times, and suspect that many have survived because they have been cherished over the years by their owners. Photo courtesy of Freda from Charleston, WV.
	value:  rarity: This charming chalkware TV lamp is a well thought-out design, with the shade being an important element of the composition. The oriental (Persian?) figures are nicely sculpted as well. Photos courtesy of eBay seller vanmantwo.
	Back view. Unfortunately, this one isn't marked as to the maker.
	Here it is, all a-glow!
	value:  rarity: This chalkware panther by L.M. Fielack is one of their best designs. Photos courtesy of Tanya from Carbondale, Pennsylvania.
	The panther lamp is clearly marked, ©L.M. Fielack on the back.
	value:  rarity: This chalkware TV lamp may not have a manufacturer's marking, but it does indicate the subject, Trigger. Roy Rogers faithful horse appeared in numerous western films. Photos courtesy of an eBayer from Brenham, Texas.
	Back view.
	The name Trigger is front-and-center on the base of the lamp.
	value:  rarity: A good deal of similarity exists between this Clevel Statuary pagoda TV lamp and the one made by Silvestri Bros.
	Originally there was probably some sort of diffusing screen over the windows to block direct glare from the bulb.
	It's marked, Clevel Statuary 1960.
	value:  rarity: This exotic lady must have ruled proudly over a television back in the day! The marking on the back reads, PGH Statuary Co. Photos courtesy of noelmarie in Pittsburgh.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: A free-spirited woman makes a striking pose on this chalkware TV lamp by L.M. Fielack. Photos courtesy of eBay seller, flyingtjr.
	Back view.
	As always, the Fielack name is prominently displayed.
	value:  rarity: While unmarked, this plaster ballerina TV lamp is similar in style to the L.M. Fielack designs. Photos courtesy of eBay seller, ajglass.
	Back view.
	One more look.
	value:  rarity: I'm not sure if this is a Hawaiian motif or Egyptian (Cleopatra?), but this chalkware lamp isn't found often. Maker unknown.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: This representation of the holy family is a particularly lovely effort from L.M. Fielack. Photos courtesy of eBay seller, gallerybr.
	Back view.
	Most of the products of L.M. Fielack are marked clearly as such, but this one only says, ©L.M.F.
	A close-up.
	value:  rarity: Such indian themes were common with these early plaster lamps, R.N.S. making this particularly nice version. It is also larger than most, at 17" tall. Photos courtesy of Kevin M. Wheeler.
	The back is marked, © R.N.S. Co. 1933 Chicago, ILL. G# 3880 1933.
	value:  rarity: Similar to chalkware ballerina TV lamps from other makers, this one is from N.Y.S.
	Back view.
	The back is marked, N.Y.S. © 1955 on the left...
	...and DeLorenzo on the right.
	This is how a TV lamp was meant to be seen!

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