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Hanging lamps, which include everything from single pendants to elaborate chandeliers, have illuminated interior spaces for thousands of years. The earliest examples were made of clay and fueled by animal fat. Later, oil was used to fire bronze or glass fixtures.
By the Middle Ages, metal chandelier-like fixtures called polycandelons were hung from the ceilings of churches and other public structures. Some held bowls filled with oil and wicks while others were designed for candles. In fact, the word “chandelier” has its roots in the Latin word for “candle.” Early chandeliers and polycandelons were usually attached to a rope or cable that was looped through a pulley so they could be lowered to be lit, raised into position, then lowered again so candles and wicks could be snuffed.
Gas lamps, which were introduced in the early 1800s, are normally associated with sconces, but hanging gas lamps, called gasoliers, were also used in homes that could afford this newfangled technology. Next came kerosene in 1857. Again, even though we associate kerosene lamps with the chimney-style table lamps made by Aladdin and others, the fuel was also used in hanging Victorian Era lamps...
Because of the heat generated by kerosene and gas lamps, flames were contained by etched glass of various colors—from frosted white to ruby red to multicolored slag—while the lamp’s hardware was typically made of brass. There must have been concerns at the time about the safety of kerosene lamps since they were often advertised as being “non-explosive,” but kerosene lamps burned brighter than gas, so for many the risk was worth it.
While some 19th-century kerosene lamps hung from chains, others were suspended by decorative rods that, in turn, supported a pair, or pairs, of arms. Because kerosene chandeliers required daily maintenance, a pulley was often secreted inside the decorative plate that also hid the lamp’s connection to the ceiling.
As the 20th century dawned and electricity became ubiquitous, many gasoliers and chandeliers were retrofitted. Other types of new hanging lamps included the so-called pan chandeliers, whose light sources were placed at the ends their multiple arms. Then there were hanging lamps that featured Tiffany-like shades over their lights, or clear prismatic glass shades that sent light streaming throughout a room.
The advantage of new hanging lamps, as opposed to retrofitted ones, was that their designs weren't constrained by the presence of fire. Thus, Art Nouveau lamps could be as naturalistic and free-flowing as their designers demanded, while Art Deco fixtures in brushed metal could be accented by shades shaped like bongo drums. By the 1950s and ’60s, the space-age look of Mid-century Modern lamps suggested starbursts and flying saucers, which would hover benignly over nuclear families enjoying meals at their Danish modern dining tables.
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Old Antique Large Ornate Brass Country Store Hanging Oil Lamp 
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Milano Allure Black Table Lamp With Hanging Crystals
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Antique 1886 Rochester Brass Hanging Store Lamp
Embossed B&h Small No. 1 Center Draft Bracket Hanging Oil Lamp Parts / Restore 
Vintage Aladdin Hanging Kerosene Oil Lamp Model 7~with Shade
Vintage Retro Le Smith Glass Moon & Star Amber Hanging Swag Lamp*prisms*1960"s
Vintage Antique Pull Down Cottage Hanging Oil/kerosene Lamp 19th Century
Old Antique Caramel Slag Glass Art & Crafts Mission Hanging Lamp 
Electrified Aladdin No. 9 Hanging Nickel Kerosene / Oil Lamp With Shade 
Vintage Hand Painted Victorian Glass Lamp Shade 4 Hanging Ceiling Light Fixture
Antique Reverse Painted Hanging Oil Lamp
Mid Century Modern Danish Hanging Light Lamp Fixture With Stain Glass Eames Era 
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Vtg Capiz Swag Lamp Hanging Lamp 4 Tier Asian Pagoda Shape 
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Vintage Swag Lamp Amber Glass Hanging Ceiling Light 22.5"tall Mid-century 1960's
Vintage Mid Century Modern Green Glass Swag Lamp Retro Hanging Light
Vintage Beautiful John Scott Hanging Oil Lamp Converted To Electric
Vintage Retro 9.5 Inch Smiley Face Happy Hanging Light Lamp 14 Ft Cord 60's 70's
Pair Mid Century Modern Atomic Retractable Saucer Hanging Light Fixture Lamps
Danish Modern Ufo Hanging Lamp Fixture
Pair Of Antique Cut Crystal Chandelier Table Lamps Girandolas Hanging Ornaments
Signed Oscar Bach Craftsman Period Chandelier Fixture Hanging Lamp
Antique Cast Iron Fish Candle Lantern Hanging Lamp
Vintage Swag Hanging Owl Lamp
Antique Victorian Hanging Oil Lamp Weight - 1880s - Cast Iron Adjustable
Vintage/antique Brass And Blue Glass Hanging Light/lamp With Pull Chain
Vintage Double Tulip Pink Slag Glass Hanging Ceiling Fixture Lamp Light
1880's Fancy Cast 'bat Wing' Brass Rocker For Hanging Victorian Library Lamp 
Vintage Slag Stain Glass Hanging Lamp Light Blue And Dark Mix
Retro Mid Modern Hanging Green Glass W/jewels Swag Lamp Fab 
Old Antique Nickel Hanging Hall Gas Lamp Frame
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Antique Vintage Non-aladdin Brass Oil Kerosene Hanging Library Lamp Motor Lifter
1960s Lyfa Hanging Lamp Mid Century Modern Design Thore Fog & Morup Panton Era
Antique Cast Iron Horse Hanging Oil Lamp 
Early 1900's Antique Arts And Crafts Hanging Light Fixture Porch Lamp Red Glass
Miller Beer Hanging Lamp Original Vintage Beer Lighted Lamp
Handlan Railroad Lantern Caboose Wall Hanging Rr Oil Lamp Light Electric Red
Art Deco Style Slip Shade 5 Light Ceiling Fixture Hanging Lamp
Vintage Retro Grist Mill Hanging Swag Oil Rain Drop Motion Lamp Excellent
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Vintage Red Glass & Brass 24 Inch Hanging Gothic Swag Light Lamp
Vintage Sterling Premium Pilsner Beer Tiffany Style Hanging Light Lamp - Usa
Antique Opal Glass Kerosene Oil Hanging Lamp 14 Inch Shade
Victorian Hanging Oil Lamp Font Holder, Bird & Foral, Design, Excel. Cond.
Mid Century Modern Metal And Glass Panel Swag Light Hanging Ceiling Lamp 
Hanging Aladdin Oil Lamp Model # 23
60's 70's Mid Century Modern Herda Hanging Lamp, Fog Morup Panton Eames Era
Vtg Hanging Swag Lamp Light Mid Century Chic Retro Accurate Casting Co Hurricane
Vintage Pink Stained Glass Tulip Swag Ceiling Hanging Fixture Lamp/light
Vtg 60's 70's Retro Wicker Rattan Hanging Swag Ceiling Light Lamp W/chain Nice!
Beautiful ~ Vintage Swanky Red Velvet Hanging Swag Lamp Hollywood Regency Fancy
Vintage 8 Arm Chandelier Brass Crystal Drop Prisms Hanging Light Lamp Fixture
Vintage Light Fixture Lamp Porcelain Floral 3 Light Hanging Porcelite Pretty
Vintage Retro Green Swirl Optic Art Glass Hanging Swag Lamp Light - Beautiful!
Recent News: Hanging Lamps
Source: Google News
Ten per cent discount on brass lamps at expo
The Hindu, June 12thOther lamps include three feet and five feet Lakshmi and Ganesh lamps, prabai lamps, annam hanging lamp, table lamp, Kerala Malabar and Vazhapu lamp, balaji branch lamp, panchalinga deepam, agals, kubera deepam, astalakshmi, and kamatchi lamps...Read more
Make the most of your kitchen remodel
KOMO News, June 8thMake the most of your kitchen remodel. What looks like a hanging lamp is actually the Sorpresa Sphera range hood. Image: Best. Most of us spend a lot of time in the kitchen. So, no surprise that it's one of the most frequently remodeled rooms in the house...Read more
Help your foyer make a grand entrance
Washington Post, June 6thTry a mother-of-pearl hanging lamp from Pier 1 Imports ($150, www.pier1.com). Bring your entry into this century with just one switch to a neo-traditional pendant. When used properly, brass can be more retro than dated, as Thomas O'Brien proves with...Read more
Patrick Caulfield, Tate Britain, review
Telegraph.co.uk, June 3rdWindow at Night from 1969 shows nothing more interesting than an empty room lit by a hanging lamp seen through a grid formed by the panes of a leaded window. But by swivelling the window so that it is very slightly out of alignment with the picture...Read more
Build This Easy Desk Lamp From CDs
Lifehacker Australia, June 3rdRemember when burning CDs was a thing, and everyone had stacks and stacks of blank CDs stored on spindles? Well, if you still have some of those spindles and no need for the CDs anymore, this easy DIY project turns them into a fun desk or hanging lamp ...Read more
Skinner Hosts Auction of 20th Century Design in Boston
News-Antique.com (press release), June 3rdModern and contemporary lighting includes iconic design such as: a Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen PH-5 hanging lamp (lot 524, $600 to $800), a Curtis Jere Crane lamp (lot 625, $1,200 to $1,600), and two Tom Dixon mirror ball pendant lamps (lot 624, ...Read more
Haru Izakaya: Japanese small plates lack zip in Gatineau (resto review)
Ottawa Citizen (blog), May 22ndWe liked the image of Buddha beside the entrance to the kitchen, the flowered carpet and striking, red, flower-shaped hanging lamp, but were less keen on Elton John singing too loudly on the sound system, and the sports channel on the bar's TV. But we...Read more