Swan TV Lamps

As with Mallard Ducks, swan proved to be an extremely popular subject for TV lamps, providing a subtle, elegant accent. The swan produced by Maddux of California was undoubtedly the most popular example of the genre.

	value:  rarity: This "Swan with Baby" TV lamp by Marcia of California is a distinctive, seldom-seen design. Photos courtesy of Gopher Gifts.
	Different angle.
	One more look.
	value:  rarity: Quite common, this Maddux of California swan is an affordable, attractive TV lamp. It is sometimes found with coloration (blue or brown) on the base.
	value:  rarity: The gold highlights on black really exemplifies the '50s. Royal Fleet applied their gold detailing with great care, giving a beautiful jewel-like quality to the finish.
	value:  rarity: Quite common, variations of this TV lamp depict a panther, a horse or a profile "cameo". This Beauceware lamp was made in 1953.
	value:  rarity: Again, something different from Lane & Company. This one has a simplicity that makes me think it's one of their early designs. Photo courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	The Lane & Co. ballerina and swan were also made in solid colors, as seen in this example. Photos courtesy of R.L. Rising of Rising Sky Artworks.
	value:  rarity: The rich green glaze on this swan is just too nifty! Photos courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	Another view of the green swan TV lamp.
	value:  rarity: The wings of this swan cradle the light bulb on this large Phil-Mar TV lamp.
	Same lamp as above in brown. Photo courtesy of Woodland Trace Collectibles/Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	value:  rarity: One of the more attractive swan lamps, the Natcocraft design has the swan swimming past plants and cattails. Photos courtesy of T.A. Brown of Canada.
	The back of the swan carries the Natcocraft mark.
	value:  rarity: Similar stylistically to the Deer above, this Electro Swan TV lamp is similar in size as well at a mere 5 1/2" tall.
	Back-view of the Electro Swan.
	The Electro Swan is also found in pink. Photo courtesy of Bill Keller, Knoxville, TN.
	Back view.
	value:  rarity: Looking rather like the swan TV lamp that Maddux sold by the zillions, this one is in fact from Lane & Co. It appears to be pressed, a technique more often used in the manufacture of ashtrays. While undated, I suspect this to be a late design (Early '60s most likely), and is quite rare. Photos courtesy of Debbie from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
	The back of Lane's swan reveals the pressed technique.
	A close-up of the Lane marking on the back of the swan's wing.
	value:  rarity: At first glance this Lane & Co. swan looks identical to the one above, but it is in fact a completely different design. This one is very similar to the swan that was such a substantial part of Maddux's production, and cast in the traditional manner rather than pressed. I believe this one to be the earlier of the two designs. Photos courtesy of Angelique Engelkes from Villard, Minnesota.
	The difference in production technique is clearly visible when comparing the back views of the two lamps.
	value:  rarity: This style of swan TV lamp is extremely common, but is rare when mounted on a base.
	The on/off switch is mounted to the back corner.
	value:  rarity: I was convinced that this "Swan and Babies" TV lamp was unmarked, but saw one listed on eBay described as bearing a Maurice of California marking. I took another look, and BOOM, there it was! (but very faint)
	Back view of the Maurice of Calif. TV lamp. Oddly enough, this one was also made in orange!
	value:  rarity: An attractive swan TV lamp by Enchanto of California. The Enchanto catalogs from the era called it the E99 8½" Swan Lamp. Photos courtesy of Dave from Rochester, New York.
	Back view.
	Here's another example of the Enchanto swan TV lamp, this time in a spectacular shade of pink! Photos courtesy of Linda Buchanan from Thousand Oaks, California.
	Here's another look.
	Back view of the Enchanto swan.
	value:  rarity: This L-708 Swan Planter Lamp from California Originals is very similar to TV lamps from Maddux and Lane. While the design isn't distinctive when compared to the others, it is certainly less common. Photos courtesy of Linda from Soda Springs, ID.
	Back-view of the California Originals swan TV Lamp.
	value:  rarity: At first glance, this swan by Cal-Style looks somewhat like the one by Maddux of Calif., but it actually has a lot more detail. Photos courtesy of Debbie from Sharon, Pennsylvania.
	Back view.  It is marked, Cal. Style U.S.A. L-202 E-4.
	The swan has a faux wood grain finish that is reminiscent of that used by other California potteries, including Treasure Craft and Maddux.
	One more look.

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