Edition #22: Fairy Lamps
They may be just candle holders, but they're beautiful.
When I was a kid, I had a glass tea-light lamp that I got at Limited Too but it never saw a flame. The idea of placing glass over a candle is, of course, not novel. Being that it was the only source of light for a very long time, glass was needed to protect the flame from being snuffed out prematurely or used to cast light around a large room. By the late 19th Century, fairy lamps became part of household decor. These decorative glass votives, favored by Queen Victoria, would be used to aesthetically light dark corners in homes. Most of these fairy lamps were made from ornately molded glass, while some used porcelain to diffuse the light and act more as a piece of art than a functional light source.
LE Smith Moon and Stars Amber Fairy Lamp Vintage on eBay: LE Smith made carnival glass housewares and decor, including the mass-produced Moon and Stars style that can be seen not just on fairy lamps but glasses, bowls, and more.
Fenton Beaded Floral Fairy Lamp Vintage on eBay: Please tell me that I’m not the only one that is reminded of the cups you’d get at a Pizza Hut, but if someone melted them down and made something beautiful.
1897 Cobalt Blue Rare Vr in Shield Christmas Fairy Light Queen Victoria Jubilee on eBay: The VR on the side of this stands for “Victoria Regina” and is one of the older examples I could find.
Late 1800's Victorian Fairy Lamp - four pieces - Excellent Blue Nailsea on Etsy: Now this is just insanely beautiful. Each piece in this set is unique and I’m sure it looks even better lit up.
RARE Vintage Fairy Lamp, Frosted Glass Candle Lamp by Indiana Glass x La Rue, Floral, Purple Iris, Green Grass, 1980s, Hand Painted, Gift on Etsy: There weren’t a ton of examples from the later years, as fairy lamps fell out of style, but I just love the Miami Vice-ness of this; It’s a collab with the very ‘80s LaRue.
Beautiful cobalt blue white Fenton carnival glass fairy lamp footed compote bowl on Etsy: Another Fenton carnival glass example. This skirted and footed pedestal is gorgeous.
Vintage Mosser Holly and Berry Amber Fairy Lamp with Thumb Holder on Etsy: This glass set is the most cottagecore style out there. It even has a thumb holder so you can walk around with it.
Westmoreland Clear Glass Thumbprint diamond cut FAIRY LAMP -clear glass votive candle holder--tea light holder -6 3/4" H -large lamp on Etsy: The clear, chunky glass of this makes me very happy.
Vintage Fenton Owl Fairy Lamp Candle Votive Custard Glass on eBay: This hoot of a gentlemen glows bright under blacklight thanks to the uranium that’s mixed into the milk glass, making it a pale yellow in regular light (hence “custard glass”).
Vintage Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass Fairy Lamp on eBay: Milk glass wasn’t as common for fairy lamps, but this hobnail style popular. It looks almost like an ear of corn.
Honorable Mentions:
What terms were searched:
Fairy lamps
Fairy lights
Candle covers
Welcome to Finder’s Keepers
This is the newsletter dedicated to leaving no vintage stone unturned. Each edition will cater to a rabbit hole that I fell down one night and include an assortment of vintage finds that make you question “Why did anyone own this?” followed quickly by “Should I own this?”
My method is simple: I attach a keyword or phrase to the item and go digging, spending hours each week combing through hundreds of pages of Etsy and Ebay bric-a-brac. It’s chaotic but satisfactory, like looking through every rack and bin at a thrift store for those that partake in the more visceral act of going in person. I like to sit on my couch.