Florence Art

[Judy Streit]

I just purchased a Florence Art Triple Green lava lamp on a wood base.  One of the lamps has red color in it, but it should be emerald green.  It looks like it might be coming from the light bulb, but not exactly sure what's causing it.  Does anyone know how to change the bulbs, and where you can purchase new ones.  I was wondering if they screw into the brass bottom, don't want to break it!  Appreciate any information on what I can do!

Thank You!!

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

The globes should wiggle out of the brass cups. If they're stuck, get a good grip on both and wiggle gently until they come out, then clean the inside of the cup and outside of the globe so they're easier to remove. They should fit snugly, but not tightly.

It does sound like you've got a red bulb in there. Congrats on your find, as these lamps are fetching top dollar these days. Triple with all emerald is especially pretty. You can use colored bulbs to change it up a bit; I'd suggest blue or yellow. Clear ones, of course, will make the green really pop. Light bulbs for these are standard seven- or ten-watt night light bulbs.

[Judy Streit]

Thank you so much for your information, I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.  I do have one more question for you.  It appears that there has been a problem with the globes leaking because the brass plated cups are pretty stained or tarnished with lines running down all three cups.  Do you know if there's someone that restores these lamps or maybe something that I can do myself to possibly improve the appearance of the brass. I was looking at other Florence Art lamps on line and in one picture it looked like the lamp had black electrical tape around the screw cap on each globe underneath the top cap. Would you happen to know if their all suppose to have that tape, and if so maybe that's why mine leaked.  Hopefully I can get all these issue's solved, LOL!!!!  Thank you so much again for your time!

Judy 

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

They should not leak, but the caps originally had friction tape because the decorative metal cap is fitted over the actual metal screw-on cap. Best thing I can suggest is to take a rag and some hot water and see if the mess scrubs off, maybe use a mushroom or dish brush. Can you post a photo?

[Erin]

Sometimes, when I can get a globe out of a base, I use some WD40 to loosen them up. 

Good luck! A triple Florence Art lamp is a rare and valuable find! 

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

And green is one of the rarer colors for a triple, in my opinion second only to ones with three different colors. Which triple do you have? I know of three designs; two are circular with brass parts, with either small lamps (1 1/2" x 9" tall) or large lamps (about 2" x 11 1/2" tall) set at three different heights, while the other has three large lamps in a row on a wood base, center lamp set higher than side ones. Here I've listed them in descending order of rarity.

[Judy Streit]

We have the last one that you mentioned.  It is the 2" x 11 1/2", on a wood base with the center lamp being the tallest.  All three brass parts are tarnished (lose of brass plating) due to leakage from the seals of the caps being bad. It sounds like you know a lot about this type of lamp.  Do you feel that the tarnished brass would bring down the value of the piece?  We are trying to decide if we should have they re-plated, and looking for someone that does that type of work.  Appreciate your thoughts!! 

Thank You!! 

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

I don't think it would bring down the value a lot. Can you post a photo of the lamp?

[Judy Streit]

There are my pics. You can see where the brass plating is worn off. 

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

Try going over it with some brass polish and a rag, is my advice. The finish is a light brass plating. Re-plating would require getting everything completely apart and a LOT of work. I'd say it's still a $1,000 lamp as-is.

[Judy Streit]

We have tried brass polish and it didn't work, it took it right down to the metal.  Still considering having it re-plated. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Jonas Clark-Elliott]

Hum. Have you tried just a rag, some soap, and elbow grease; maybe a soft brush?

[Judy Streit]

Good Evening Lava Lovers,

Does anyone out there know what ingredient (liquid) was added into the Florence Art Lamps along with the glitter.  I have a triple Emerald Green Lamp and two of the glass tubes are showing the color red inside the liquid and the other is perfectly fine.  We have explored all options to figure out why but can't seem to come up with an answer. The only thing we can think of is maybe the liquid inside the 2 tubes  possibly over heated and burned. I would welcome your thoughts!

Thank You!