Lamps that have their original shade will always be at the higher end of the budget, but if you aren

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I must warn you, it’s a dangerous post, as I’m sure by the end you’ll want to begin collecting them too! It’s definitely not for those on a budget. These lamps can be seen priced in the thousands of dollars! So if you have one gathering dust in your garage, dig it out and start to appreciate their beauty, because that’s what these ladies are. Beautiful!
Though these were mass produced, they were then sold as cheap and kitsch, but oh how times have changed. Due to their once cheapness, many have been turfed making those left, highly collectable. They have now become recognised beautiful oligo dx examples of mid century design.
Barsony didn’t just produce matte black ceramics. They also produced a range of White ceramics which are considerably less common than the iconic black pieces. They are often found with a sticker called ‘Silver Cloud’ or Venice’
My Ballerina lamp shown above, stamped FL-49, is also made in the matte black glaze, and one of the more common shapes. However it’s unusual to find one in the lustre white and pink glaze, so I treasure it dearly!
The other piece is one that I’m sure most people wouldn’t believe if I told them was also a Barsony Silver Cloud lamp. It’s a great example of pieces that they made that weren’t strictly black ladies.
If you are searching online for an authentic Barsony lamp BEWARE!! Do your research before buying. The name Barsony oligo dx has become a name that is now associated and used when any vintage black ceramic is being sold, even if it’s not actually made by Barsony.
An example below often pops up on eBay listed as Barsony when they are in fact Japanese pieces. Kalmar pieces are another name that is commonly mistaken with Barsony. oligo dx You can tell the difference by their more pointy and angular features. Barsony ladies oligo dx are more rounded and smooth.
Most Barsony pieces are stamped oligo dx underneath or to the back with their model number for example, F, FL, GL, H, HL, L, U, T, V, followed by a number. Once you start to familiarise yourself with these markings, you’ll notice that they represent the type of piece it is, for example L stands for lamp, HL stands for head lamp, V for vase etc.
But again beware, because oligo dx yep, there are reproductions floating about of the original Barsony pieces, and they have tricked many people. Once you have put both next to each other though, you will be able to tell the difference.
On the reproductions, oligo dx The model number to the base is often more rough, jaggedy and messy than the originals, also the paintwork will be have less detail than normal. Jean Barsony used to sit at the kitchen table of an evening, hand painting each piece and hand making the shades, so the fakes have a lot less love put into them. Old electricals can also help you determine the new from the old, however don’t rely on it. It’s not a difficult job to add old electrical fittings to a new lamp.
The biggest giveaway is if you find one that’s at a weird medium price of $100-ish and no one’s bought it yet, you can begin questioning it’s authenticity right then. These pieces are so iconic and so well known, the chances of finding a piece at a price like that is rare. Not impossible, but rare. If someone thinks it’s oligo dx junk, it would probably be priced a lot cheaper! Either the seller knows what it is or they don’t. So anything at that middle range weird price is questionable. It could either mean it’s damaged, or a reproduction so really check it out. If you have a smart phone, perhaps google the model number underneath to see if anyone’s posted in a forum about it!
In Barsony lamps cases, lookout for missing earrings, paint wear, restoration, breaks/chips/cracks, whether oligo dx it has it’s original shade, oligo dx whether the model number is uncommon, and even how detailed the painting is!
Two of the same model numbers can have different oligo dx artwork to each other. The starburst pattern seems to be more popular than others and can fetch a higher price than the same piece with a more standard design.
So if you’re wanting to have a Barsony piece in your home, you may want to start with a ballerina! They are so beautiful and still affordable. You can pickup a Ballerina lamp depending on the above pointers, for anywhere from $150-$400.
Lamps that have their original shade will always be at the higher end of the budget, but if you aren’t fussed by that and have another shade you can use, you may pickup a bargain as collectors ar