Restoration



The lighting offered for sale by Jackson House Lighting has been carefully restored and rewired. Metal polishing and restoration is done on an as needed basis with respect for original surfaces. Some examples are presented below.

Click on the photos below to enlarge; use your back button to return to this page.


Lighting Restoration:


Most antique and vintage lighting can be restored and rewired to live a second useful and beautiful life. Here are some examples.

The first picture below shows how old lighting sometimes arrives - an old carton full of parts and an assortment of crystals in a shopping bag. Luckily this one still had all its parts. Now restored, this pretty, six arm, Edwardian era chandelier really sparkles.

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The Arts and Crafts fixture below was sold to us by a picker who believed it to be wood. Once restored, we found it to be solid brass, marked Tungstolier Made in USA with Weber patented shade holders dated 1904.

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These brass sconces had been painted with white house paint. After removal of the paint and some restoration, they are now elegant and functional. Below is a before and after picture.

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Chandeliers usually need to be completely dismantled and cleaned (see before and after of the hollow cut glass chandelier arm, and of various crystals, in the photos below), follwed by rewiring, and replacement of missing bobeches and crystals.

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Most old lamps can be restored if complete with all their original parts. This pair of English oak lamps dates from the Arts and Crafts era. Notice the very old plug, sockets and electrical cord in the second photo which shows the unrestored condition. We have rewired and refurbished the lamps, and given them elegant newer lampshades, so that they can enjoy a second life today as an elegant pair of candle lamps.

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Please contact us if you have any questions.



The Rogue's Gallery of Wiring:


We have compiled a few examples of unfit wiring and electrical components from repairs that come into our shop. If you recognize any of these items in your lamps at home, please do not plug them in!

From left to right in the photo gallery, see the following:

Wooden unsupported sockets and thin gauge wiring in this otherwise gorgeous European chandelier
A lighting post in a chandelier mended with an old yellow wooden pencil
Old Dutch ceramic wire nuts which do not meet current electrical code.
Really ancient wiring and plug

woodsocket roguesgallery roguesgallery roguesgallery



Metal polishing and antique metal restoration:


We try to restore each piece sympathetically according to the following principles:

  • Respect for documentary evidence - provenance, site context, catalogues and reference material
  • Respect for historical pieces - minimal intervention and reversibility are the guiding principles.
  • Respect for original materials and finishes



  • Here are some materials which can benefit from buffing and polishing:

  • Victorian and Edwardian brass fixtures
  • Most but not all Art Nouveau and Art Deco brass fixtures
  • Stainless steel (bright or matte finish)
  • Aluminum, copper and pewter, depending on taste
  • Bronze, only if heavily encrusted with verdigris
  • Sterling silver, but gently!
  • Magnesium / aluminum alloy car and motorbike parts
  • Unpainted cast and wrought iron
  • Bakelite and some plastics



  • See the difference metal polishing and fixture restoration can make in this pair of heavy brass antique sconces. Click on the photo to enlarge; use your back button to return to this page.


    metalmorphosis1




    We do not, as a general rule, refinish:

  • Bronze statuary and lamp bases, especially not Tiffany bases!
  • Most Arts and Crafts metalwork
  • Gold and platinum
  • Plated items
  • Tin, pot metal (white metal, Brittania metal, zinc)
  • Patinated, enamelled, gilded or painted surfaces, unless they have deteriorated irreparably
  • Heavily detailed or repoussed pieces, since polishing will reduce the relief effect




  • Oil Lamp Restoration and Parts:

    For parts and service for oil and kerosene lamps and lighting, we recommend Tom Logan of Stirling Ontario who can be contacted at (613) 395-3189 or toll free (877) 654-6333.

    Canadian Line