GUEST: It was given to my father-in-law by one of his patients. And my father-in-law didn't want it, so he gave it to me.
APPRAISER: Well, when I looked underneath, I saw the construction. I said, "Gee, the way this is constructed "and the type of design "makes me think that this was probably made by the company called Duffner & Kimberly." Oliver Kimberly was an employee at one time of Tiffany Studios, and he did work in the glassmaking department. He left in the late 19th century, formed another company with someone else, and then in 1905, formed a partnership with Frank Duffner in New York to make lamps. This piece was probably made around 1909. Now, it's a little more unusual because it actually is a desk lamp. You don't see a lot of these. What also made me know that it was Duffner & Kimberly is they're just very classical. And what I noticed was this lovely shell motif on this fabulously made bronze base. The shell motif is also shown right here on the back, which is really so elegant and beautiful. And then it's repeated in another fashion in the shade, on the ribs of the shade. Also, the finish, they favored the gold finishes rather than the brown finish.
APPRAISER: Why isn't it signed? Well, probably because about 10% of their lamps were signed. And usually, the lamps that were signed were in the more expensive lines. It has some issues with it. It sustained a crack here, and there's some cracking over here. While I wouldn't recommend replacing the glass, I would recommend taking some conservation measures to secure the glass in place. The other thing is the way that this has been wired. This socket has been changed, and there's a pull chain inside. And it's new, and it frankly doesn't work. And then what has been changed over here is this little switch that was put on. The whole thing needs to be reworked. A lamp like this should really be put into original condition if it is possible. This lamp today in a retail venue could be sold between $3,000 and $4,000. Now, if this lamp were perfect, it could be worth between $6,000 and $7,000.
GUEST: Okay.
APPRAISER: I don't have to go to the gym today because lifting this thing up was...
GUEST: Very heavy.
