Do you need a picture light?

Do you love and collect artwork or have any special oil paintings or works on paper that you would like to highlight in your home? As an art lover, this is a topic that I began to investigate in earnest a few years ago. While many of my paintings looked very good in their current placement, there were others that seemed dark or just did not have enough natural light or even nearby light sources. These especially, but it seems nearly all paintings can benefit from a picture light. The problem is finding the right one for you that will effectively light your artwork, will not harm the artwork due to heat generation, looks good and is somewhat affordable.

If you search for picture lights on Amazon or Google, you will find art lights from many different companies ranging from about $20 to well over $400. What kind of a light should you purchase and how much should you spend? While I am not an expert on lighting and have not researched every company available, I have purchased many lights from a few different companies, and can discuss and comment on my personal experiences with these. This article is meant as an aid to help the reader to find the best light for him or her, and not as an all-encompassing review of every style, type and manufacturer of picture lights.

The traditional type of picture lights that you may remember from many years ago are incandescent, just like the old style light bulbs. These bulbs emit heat and can potentially damage your artwork. I would stay away from any incandescent picture light. You can also buy halogen picture lights. These also generate heat. Many halogen lights can effectively light your artwork, but are not mounted near the art, they are instead mounted in the ceiling as track lights to shine down on your art from a distance. These are high quality lights, but can also be very expensive. If you have standard height ceilings, a ceiling mounted track light may not be appropriate for your home.

The new style of picture lights, just as those used for other lighting in your home, are LED. The first LED picture lights were not of the highest quality. Some early adopters have determined that LEDs are not effective for fine art, but with the newer lighting, that should not be a foregone conclusion.

I have tried some inexpensive LED lights purchased through Amazon, which were battery powered, and which looked acceptable, but did not provide the amount of light or quality of light that I really wanted for my paintings. I also found that the batteries needed to be replaced frequently. These lights are generally in the range of $20 up to about $80. In this case, “you get what you pay for” is generally accurate. I found my $80 light much better than my $20 light. However, now I have found newer, brighter, and much more effective LED lights for my paintings.

I will discuss two manufacturers that I have purchased from, and that I currently use in my home. While these lights are more expensive than what I had purchased previously, the effect on the paintings is amazing. Both of these manufacturers offer both battery operated and plug-in electric versions of their lights. While I have tried battery operated, I much prefer the plug-in electric version of both manufacturer’s lights.

The first manufacturer that I will discuss is Cocoweb. Their products can be purchased through their website www.cocoweb.com or can be ordered on Amazon. Cocoweb offers LED picture lights in various styles, but I prefer their “Tru-Slim” LED picture lights. I currently have over 50 Cocoweb LED picture lights in my home. Their Tru-Slim lights range from a 12” light to a 43” light and come in many different finishes including antique brass, oil rubbed bronze, satin nickel, chrome, copper, black and gold, and black.

The Cocoweb Tru-Slm lights have a color temperature of 2700 degrees Kelvin and a CRI (Color Rendering Index) of 90. This provides a warm golden light for the artwork. Their lights are very low voltage and only use 6 Watts of electricity. Each light comes with a wired dimmer switch, but there is an option of adding a remote control with dimming capability with a wireless receiver to the light. There is an additional charge of $50 to add the remote control and wireless dimmer, but it is well worth it. I will explain this later.

Cocoweb offers a battery pack option, which is also an additional charge. There is a 4 battery pack, which used 4 D batteries for $40 or an 8 battery pack which has a longer life and uses 8 D batteries for $70. What I’ve found is that these battery packs are huge and it is difficult to hide these or fit them behind artwork. You will also have to replace the batteries. If you have multiple lights, replacing batteries could drive you crazy, with each one going out at a different time, just like a smoke detector. In my personal opinion, I would avoid the battery pack set-up.

Each light comes with a plug in A/C power adapter without any additional charge. By adding a remote control and wireless receiver, this allows you to turn on or turn off your light at the touch of a button. You can also dim the light using your remote control. These are also programmable, so that you can program more than one picture light on a single remote control. These work on RF (Radio Frequency), which allows the user to use the remote without pointing it at the light. I have over 50 lights all programmed on a single remote control. One push of the on button and all 50 of my lights, throughout various rooms of my home, all come on at the same time. I turn them on when I wake up and turn them off when I go to bed. You might wonder how long do these lights last…. Cocoweb says that each light will last up to 100,000 hours of use. This means that you could leave them on 24 hours a day and never turn them off, and they should provide at least 11 years of life. I have heard of people leaving them on all the time. If you used them for 12 hours a day, they could last up to 22 years. Because of this ease, I would always recommend the remote control and wireless receiver for each light that you purchase. I even have some paintings high on the wall, as much as 12 feet above the floor, which are very large and the remote control allows me to turn these on from a great distance without touching the light itself.

While you can allow the power cord to run down the wall to plug into a power outlet (the cords are black, but you can call them and order white instead), the preferred method is to install a power outlet behind your painting. If you are not handy with electricity, I would recommend a licensed electrician for this work. You cannot install a standard outlet behind the painting, as the plug is quite thick and your artwork would have to be spaced out from the wall quite a bit. Instead it is best to install an in-wall box, such as used for an LCD TV installation. This does make a rather large hole in your wall behind the painting, but the final look of your art will be worth it. I use the Carlon Flat Panel TV box, which can be purchased through Amazon, https://smile.amazon.com/Carlon-Flat-Panel-White-Boxed/dp/B002YEPJP6/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=carlon+flat+panel+tv+box&qid=1586967164&sr=8-4 or at a lower price from Menards for about $17.99.

The light can be attached either to the wall or to the back of your picture frame. I always attach to the back of the frames. Cocoweb provides all of the hardware and instructions needed to attach the light to your frame or to the wall.

Cocoweb is based in California, and the lights are high quality, metal housing (not plastic) but are made in Taiwan.

The second company’s lights that I have used extensively and would highly recommend is Situ Lighting. Their lights can be purchased through their website www.situlighting.com. The lights from Situ lighting are made in the USA and are also high quality all metal lighting. These lights are also LED although are brighter with a 3000 degree Kelvin temperature and also a CRI (Color Rendering Index) of 93-95+.

Situ Lighting offers a number of different styles and types of lights, but I will only discuss those which I have purchased and currently use on my artwork. These all come in various finishes including brushed brass, antique bronze, silver and black. The first type that I have used is the Rechargeable Micro Series. This is a single, bright LED light with focusing lens which shines on your artwork, and which I have used for a small painting in which I was unable to install an outlet in that location. The light works great, and the batteries are fully rechargeable. There is no mounting, as the light just sits on top of your frame. I use the light daily and find the need to charge about eery 5 days. It has two brightness settings, and I use it on the dimmest setting to preserve battery power, and find that works best for me.

The new lights that I have purchased the most of from Situ Lighting is the Plug-In Micro Series. I have about 25 of these lights on my artwork. This is a plug-in light that can be ordered with either one, two, or three LEDs. These can be used on quite large paintings, and are very bright. The LEDs are individually movable to highlight different areas of the painting. These also come with a remote control for no additional charge. Even better is that you can program brightness for each individual picture with its own remote and then use a master remote control to turn all of them on or off with a single button. Because these lights are smaller, you do not need to use the large in-wall box for installation. They have designed these to be able to use a duplex recessed standard sized outlet. The plus still protrudes slightly from the outlet, but it is typically not a problem as there is usually enough space for the artwork to cover the extra space. I cannot say enough good things about this company or these plug-in Micro Series lights. They are fantastic. If these were available previously, I would have purchased many more of these instead of the larger Cocoweb lights to put on many of my paintings. While I have not changed any out for these, I am considering it. The lights, the company, and the customer service are outstanding!

Situ Lighting also offers something called the Plug-in Vision Series. I have only two like this in on my artwork, but will certainly be buying more. This is somewhat similar to the Cocoweb style bar light, and is typically needed for larger paintings. These come in three sizes and also have option for a much taller painting so that some of the LEDs can be functioned toward the lower portion to even light the entire painting. These also include a remote control with dimming function without any additional cost, and the remotes can be programmed in conjunction with the Plug-in Micro Series lights if you own some of each they can be all controlled from a single remote control.

While there are other manufacturers offering these new LED style picture lights, I have only written about those with which I own and have experience.

If you are in the market for high quality picture lights, you will not be disappointed in either of these manufacturer’s lights, and I would recommend both of these. I would still recommend additional research through each website and also compare price to determine which would be best for your specific artwork and application.

An English Wedgwood Tankard Hand-Painted by Emile Lessore from 1860

This English tankard was recently acquired, and as with most unique items that attract my attention, I enjoy researching the item. The research started with the artist signature on the tankard and the marks on the bottom, “Wedgwood” and the date code “HBO.” The tankard has a capacity of 1L and a unique handle design, unlike what one might find by German manufacturers. It has a unique silver-plated lid. Re- searching the date code letters online, it was found that the letters HBO were first used in the year 1860, when Wedgwood began adding date codes to their wares. There was a series of code letters, each denoting a particular year, but in 1883, the codes began to repeat, so that HBO was used for both 1860 and for 1883. Initially I was unsure if the tankard was made in 1860 or 1883 due to this dichotomy, but further information came from the artist, Emile Lessore, who lived from 1805- 1876. This would seem to point to a date of 1860 as the artist would not have been alive in 1883 to create the piece.

Further research was done, and I was able to find a book published by The Buten Museum of Wedgwood, 1979 entitled Monographs in Wedgwood Studies Numbers 3 & 4. The number 3 monograph is entitled Emile Lessore 1805-1876: His Life and Work by David Buten and Patricia Pelach.

The book tells all about the artist and includes a photograph of this tankard on page 24 of the book. The tankard is described as “Tankard with pastoral decoration and bands of orange yellow and blue. 1860. Height 8 1/2” (21.6cm) diameter 4 1⁄2” (10.8cm). Impressed Wedgwood. V. HBO. Signed E. Lessore near end of handle. The Schaefer Collection.” This information further places the tankard from the year 1860.

Emile Lessore was a French artist and according to a short biography from AskArt.com, he was a painter on pottery and porcelain, he studied in the studio of Ingres, exhibiting regularly at the Paris Salon. He worked at the Sèvres factory, then moved to England, where he was first employed at Minton. In 1860, he moved to Wedg- wood, Etruria, where he gained a great reputation. At the 1862 International exhibition, Lessore became the first Wedgwood artist since the celebrated John Flaxman Jr. to receive individual acclaim for his designs. As Lessore moved to Wedgwood and began his employment designing and creating works in 1860, this is likely one of his first pieces. The AskArt database has numerous auction records of his works of oil on canvas, watercolor on paper and on creamware porcelain, with a record high result of $5,690 in 2012 for one of his watercolor paintings.

Also, of interest is the method of painting. At first, I wondered if this was en- tirely hand-painted or a transfer of some kind. The Wedgwood book provided some additional insight on the method of decoration. The excerpt below from the published book, and this from Memorandums in Potting, in which Clement Wedgwood described how the pieces were produced:

Mr. Lessore’s painting is of a higher art. He chooses CC (cream color) ware and has it dip’t in Rockingham glaze

without stain so that it is very soft and of a very warm tint. In all small subjects such as trays, small vases, etc. the outline is printed for him in chocolate from drawings etched by himself on copper plates. These subjects are generally small Watteau scenes in pastoral landscape, or cupids or little German figures.

The ornamentation of the piece is done at the same time as the printing. It generally consists in colouring the handles and feet and a few lines round the mouth. Celeste green and orange yellow being the colours most used. They are then fired in the Enamel Kiln.

After the first fire Mr. Lessore takes them in hand and puts the colouring into the picture, when they are again fired and if not finished enough are again touched up and fired.

In the case of larger pieces the subjects are first taken from the original on tissue paper, and then traced off on the vase with racing paper., then drawn in pensil [sic] and finally the chocolate outline painted on, when they are fired like the rest. The colouring is then put on in one or more fires.

This small book goes on to describe the relationship between Lessore and the Wedgwood family including excerpts from personal letters between the artist and his employers and pro- vides a number of photos of other works by the artist. Of all the works shown, this appears to be the only beer stein or tankard produced for Wedgwood by the artist; quite a unique piece, and in excellent condition for 160 years old.

This tankard is available for sale on our website www.revivalhouseantiques.com

18th Century Wheel-Engraved Glass Beer Stein with Biblical Figures and Phrase

This 1/2L 18th Century glass beer stein, circa 1840-1860 is copper wheel engraved and depicts two biblical figures; Jonathan, the oldest son of King Saul and David, prior to becoming King. 

The stein shows Jonathan holding a bow and David with a lyre, both shaking hands, standing on a mound. Surrounding the central image are beautiful scrolling elements.  The stein features what appears to be the original pewter lid and thumb lift.  The handle is the thin strap type handle predominant in the mid 18th Century. 

 In order to understand the translation on the stein, it is important to understand these two individuals and their relationship. The following excerpt is from Encyclopedia Brittanica:

 Jonathan, in the Old Testament (I and II Samuel), eldest son of King Saul; his intrepidity and fidelity to his friend, the future king David, make him one of the most admired figures in the Bible. Jonathan is first mentioned in I Sam. 13:2, when he defeated a garrison of Philistines at Geba. Later (I Sam. 14), Jonathan and his armour bearer left Saul’s army at Geba and captured the outpost at Michmash. The Israelites then attacked and defeated the Philistines.

Possibly because of his piety, Saul then ordered a fast for one day, but the absent Jonathan was unaware of the order and ate wild honey. When Saul requested information about the war from God and there was no answer, Saul blamed the silence on Jonathan’s breaking of the fast and would have killed him had not his own soldiers ransomed Jonathan.

When David became a member of Saul’s household and won many victories against the Philistines, he and Jonathan became close friends. After Saul jealously turned against David, Jonathan attempted to reconcile them, but he was only briefly successful. Saul tried to enlist Jonathan’s aid to kill David, but Jonathan remained David’s friend and warned him of Saul’s anger so that David hid. When the two met for the last time in the Wilderness of Ziph, they planned that David would be the next king of Israel and Jonathan his minister (I Sam. 23:16–18).

 More recent and modern interpretations as described in Wikipedia suggest that there may have been a more intimate relationship between the two men.

 The phrase on the stein in old German reads:

So schlüß ich diesen bund mit weenig worthen ein

du solst mein Jonathan ich wil dein David sein

Transposed into modern German:

So schließ ich diesen bund mit wenig worthen ein

du sollst mein Jonathan, ich will dein David sein

English translation:

Thus I cement this bond with few words

you shall be my Johnathan, I want to be your David 

(alternatively, you shall be my friend, and I, yours)

This stein was likely given as a gift to a very good friend in commemoration of their friendship.

There are two vertical cracks on the body of the stein at the point of handle attachment, which is common and even typical in steins with this type of handle, which occurs as the hot glass from the handle was attached to the cooled stein body. 

If interested in this beautiful 18th Century glass stein, please see Listings

An Antique Gothic Vampire Killing Cabinet - Wow!

Today’s blog post is in reference to an item posted, which is now already sold! The item is an antique Gothic revival cabinet, likely of French origin with monk motif. While the cabinet is a beautiful example of Gothic Revival furniture and in great condition, the real treasure lies inside. On opening the cabinet, the interior reveals an exotic array of mounted items used to repel and kill vampires. On the inside of the door, for ready access is mounted 4 large wooden stakes, carved with Gothic motif, and a large wooden mallet, also carved with Gothic motif, all hand-carved in wonderful detail and period to the cabinet circa 1890’s-1900 timeframe. Also on the lower portion of the door is a heavy bifurcated steel pronged spike with carved wooden saint handle, possibly depicting Mary.

The interior of the cabinet features a French bible mounted with a bronze or brass crucifix and with gold leaf edged pages and filled with etchings throughout. There is also a series of three bottles or flasks, two with wooden cross shaped stoppers, and the third with a Gothic carved stopper. One bottle contains what appears to be holy water, one bottle contains what appears to be salt and the third contains what appears to be garlic. There is also a large clever measuring 24” long, as legend has it after the vampire was staked and to prevent reanimation, the vampire’s head would need to be removed and buried separately. The handle on the clever is also carved with the same Gothic motif and matches the mallet as well as two other implements. The next implement is a typo of hammer, also with the same carved Gothic motif, and another large implement with a circular brass or metal embossed image of Jesus with sharp triangular steel blades emanating from the center and with matching Gothic motif carved handle.

In addition there are two small swords or daggers with carved wooden Saint handles. The left side has a hand-carved wooden crucifix rendered in great detail, that even the ribs are visible in the carving, as well as great detail in the face. There are two other stylized wooden crosses on the inside of the cabinet and beneath the main cabinet is a drawer with two more crucifixes mounted with brass or bronze Savior and another cross.

The cabinet is one of the most unusual that I have ever seen. Vampire kits as some of these are called are typically carried by hand in a small case. The original ones were made typically after Bram Stoker’s Dracula was published, which captured the attention of Victorian era Europeans and Americans. Some were made in Philadelphia for travelers heading to Eastern Europe to be used should they encounter a vampire. There have been many cabinets assembled since that time, and often considered fakes or honorific kits from the 1970’s onward, and even available today on eBay. Many of these include brand new items, made to look old, and others include genuine antique items, but put together at a later date.

This cabinet is the only large piece of furniture filled with these items that I have seen or found anywhere. The pieces inside as well as the cabinet all appear to be period to about 1900.

We are proud that this unusual historical cabinet has been in stock for a very short time and sold to a Florida museum for public display.

Antique Gothic Revival Vampire Killing Cabinet