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January 24, 2008
what is this?
Can anyone tell me about this? This is a light fixture that is representative of most of the sconces in my house. It has an outlet in the top part.
Was the outlet added? What era is this multiple personality fixture from? What is the hole in the middle, is that a gas line? A cable hook up? (I kid). Seriously though, a lot of my old fixtures have outlets in them and I am totally perplexed. I want to keep the fixture but the outlet is so ugly.
Can it be capped or hidden? Thought?
Thank you kindly.
Comments
not sure how you can get rid of the outlets but isn't the "hole" in the middle a threaded rod??? a decorative nut should screw onto it and thats what holds the fixture on.
There was a lamp restorer mentioned in the Forum about a week ago...there are numerous ones in the phone book and online...talk to tem about the outlet
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 4:33 PM
On my similar fixture (minus the outlet - I think that was added), the thing in the middle was for the metal knob used to turn on the fixture (because it wasn't hardwired into a switch on the wall as I guess yours are.)
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 4:36 PM
Why would someone add an outlet to a fancy sconce?
What would you plug in? Something temporary would pull on the fixture and something perm would look silly plugged into that fixture. I don't get it.
Posted by: guest at January 24, 2008 9:30 PM
Wow, that's one I haven't seen before - the outlet, that is. I bet none of the walls or hallways where your sconces are have baseboard or other outlets, and some genius figured out a lazy way to tap into a live wire. Probably plugged in the vacuum cleaner, or something.
You might be able to cover the outlet hole with a piece of decorative metal trim, like a small medallion, wreath, curlique or something. It could be aged to match the patina of the original fixture. You could get metal stampings from restoration places like Van Dyke's Restorers, or Outwater, or Google decorative brass stampings.
Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 25, 2008 12:37 AM
For a quick and inexpensive fix get one of those baby-safety socket covers and glue on an old metal button of the same brass tone.
Posted by: guest at January 25, 2008 11:15 AM
Do you want to consdier bringing them somewhere to get fixed? You can email the question and picture to Lamp Doctor on Coney Island Avenue near Kings Highway. They have an inhouse shop and they have lots of similar sconces for sale.
Posted by: 1910 at January 25, 2008 12:10 PM
I would like to fix them up if I can. I will look into the lamp doctor. I was curious to read the feed back and if anyone had these in their home. Thanks
Posted by: hhitchc at January 25, 2008 7:51 PM
i have the same ones in my house. trying to figure out what to do with them too. post back if you get great ideas!
Posted by: guest at January 27, 2008 10:29 PM
These sconces 1960's-1970's crap made to be used in bathrooms, hence the outlet. Look online for decent repros Rejuvination, or antique on ebay.
Posted by: guest at January 31, 2008 12:05 AM
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