Curved glass lamp repair – Circa 1880’s Brass balloon basket
By Len Daley
Curved glass lamp repairs come in every shape. The type of curved glass repairs I perform are not in any way associated with the pressed glass technique. Instead my technique involved using your existing curved glass to make a mold. Then taking a flat best matched glass color and bending it on the mold with heat and gravity. Using the same methods since the 1880’s.
Below is a curved glass lamp panel repair. A fine example of an 1880’s brass balloon basket chandelier. A quality museum piece I had the pleasure to restore. From my understanding back in the early 1800’s in Europe ballooning was a popular passion for people wishing to experience the idea of flight. The idea of making a balloon lighting fixture that would hang high in a ceiling was a novel idea at the time. Size 36″x48″. This solid brass lamp was a production cast brass fixture.
Originally this was a gas fixture. The hollow brass rope design would have carried the gas to the lamp. Later the fixture was electrified with wires running down the hollow rope tubing. Missing from the chandelier was all the curved glass lamp panels which I had to make.
Curved glass lamp repair
As you can see this brass chandelier is tall and will hang in a really high hallway. The objective for restoration was to add new curved glass panels that would offer as much lighting to the ceiling area as well as the flooring area below. My first thought was to find a clear texture that would offer historical character. While at the same time knowing that the electrical light bulbs would cause a sparkling effect throughout the fixture. Finding a clear texture that would not over power the intricate cast brass parts on the chandelier. Using 8″ samples behind the brass I was able to narrowed my choice with a small diffused ripple textured glass.
With no curved glass lamp panels to work from, I used sheet metal to acquire the mold bend for the side curved glass lamp panels.
For the lower drop out curved glass lamp section. I used a chemical mold to acquire the double glass bend. Here I’m sanding and finishing off the release agent on the mold before firing in the special chemical kiln.
After bending all the curved glass panels I started assembling the side skirt first. Dividing each curved glass lamp panel on the side skirt. I used a 1/4″ round brass came. On the top and bottom of the skirt section a rolled 1/8″ U brass came was used.
The lower section consisted of 4 curved glass lamp panels. Between each of the 4 panels I used the same 1/4″ round brass came but with a 1/2″ brass U outer came. This lower 4 panel section was then soldered to the skirt section completed earlier.
As a unit this entire lower section and skirt could be removed by 4 brass screws. Because this entire section is removable. It’s a really neat way to perform any curved glass lamp repairs in the future. All lead joints were coated with a brass paint to blend in.
Send curved glass lamp panel repair pictures to: Len.Daley@yahoo.com
Questions please call me at 401-314-6005 (12-6ESTime)noneText#
I can best help you after you email pictures
To complete your quote for restoration if you include the following.
1. Pictures of both the inside and outside of your curved glass lamp.
2. The dimensions Length x Height.
3. The number of broken pieces.
4. Metal issues or glass issues I may not see in the pictures.