Lamp pedigree.

Picked this lamp up a few years ago as an afterthought. The folks I bought it from said it belonged to a relative of theirs who did missionary work in Southeast Asia in the 1950's, and were told this relative picked it up in Laos in the 1950's. I can see no marks on it, and have no idea what the design says about it. It is very heavy gauge brass, and the base is marble. Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

I don't see anything to disagree with the time period you were told.

The brass looks like work done in India. Many lamps from that time period had marble bases. From what I can see of the plug, it appears the prongs are the same size. Here in the US that didn't change until the 1960s. Does Laos use the same 110 current we do here in US?

 

Thanks. I was wondering about India. I have no idea what sort of plugs they use over that way.

 

Laos was French and has the French Type E plug; receptables of this type accept German Schuko plugs and some two pin types as well. 220 volts.

 

I'm assuming you have plugged it in and it works.

Based on what Fid said, I think the people were incorrect in thinking that it was purchased in Laos.
Their relative may have worked over there, but that doesn't mean the lamp was purchased there.

 

Or maybe they bought the urn there and converted it to a lamp when they got home?