The things people throw in the trash

[Yossarian 208]

I know I'm not the only one around here that's slowed down for a promising junk pile, but this has to be the coolest thing I've ever rescued from the curb. it needed a new socket but other than that and a very small crack in one pane it is completely intact.  My best guess is 1930's ish but I haven't found anything to confirm or deny that. The pattern is apparently called a Moravian Star and has some really neat history associated with it.

[ZXT 2,401]

It's amazing what people will throw away. I'm an electrician and I've rewired several turn of the century homes that had their very nice, original chandeliers in them. Melinnials buy the houses, and just everything old gone. Often times they'll start setting them at the curb, either ignorant of the fact that the fixtures are worth $100+ a piece, or maybe they're just stupid. I've been able to grab a few over the last few years but other people usually get to them first. 

 

Are there any markings on it at all? If it does turn out to be old, it could be worth quite a bit. You'd be surprised what some people will pay for that sort of thing.

Edited October 3, 2019 by ZXT

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

 That is way cool and congratulations on the find. I have myself collected a few things of garbage containers and actually ended up making money off them .

[Yossarian 208]

19 minutes ago, ZXT said:

It's amazing what people will throw away. I'm an electrician and I've rewired several turn of the century homes that had their very nice, original chandeliers in them. Melinnials buy the houses, and just everything old gone. Often times they'll start setting them at the curb, either ignorant of the fact that the fixtures are worth $100+ a piece, or maybe they're just stupid. I've been able to grab a few over the last few years but other people usually get to them first. 

 

Are there any markings on it at all? If it does turn out to be old, it could be worth quite a bit. You'd be surprised what some people will pay for that sort of thing.

 No markings that I can find. I'll give it another go over this evening. It's quite dangerous to handle and I was afraid it was going to puncture my leather seat. Google image search has gotten kind of close but nothing quite right or even remarkably similar. There is such a wealth of knowledge on this forum and an appreciation of old, well crafted things that I wouldn't be at all surprised if someone here could shed some light on it

[ZXT 2,401]

I've installed one or two new versions of that fixture. I've been trying to remember what the box it came in called it and I think it's called a Moravian star light. Might try looking it up under that if you haven't already!

[Yossarian 208]

20 minutes ago, ZXT said:

I've installed one or two new versions of that fixture. I've been trying to remember what the box it came in called it and I think it's called a Moravian star light. Might try looking it up under that if you haven't already!

Yes, it is a Moravian Star. The shape was created in 1830 in Niesky Germany by a math teacher at a Moravian boys school as part of a geometry lesson. It was quickly adopted by the Moravian Church as a symbol of Advent portraying the star of Bethlehem. (Google knew all that, not me)  Google is absolutely full of images of them. Most seem to be modern examples.  None have the coloring or texture in the glass that this one has.  Here are the guts I pulled out of it. The plug was obviously a later addition.  The ends of the cord are quite crispy.  The house it was in front of was apparently built in 1900.  https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/201-S-Williams-St-Fayette-MO-65248/236128767_zpid/?fullpage=true

[ZXT 2,401]

11 minutes ago, Yossarian said:

Yes, it is a Moravian Star. The shape was created in 1830 in Niesky Germany by a math teacher at a Moravian boys school as part of a geometry lesson. It was quickly adopted by the Moravian Church as a symbol of Advent portraying the star of Bethlehem. (Google knew all that, not me)  Google is absolutely full of images of them. Most seem to be modern examples.  None have the coloring or texture in the glass that this one has.  Here are the guts I pulled out of it. The plug was obviously a later addition.  The ends of the cord are quite crispy.  The house it was in front of was apparently built in 1900.  https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/201-S-Williams-St-Fayette-MO-65248/236128767_zpid/?fullpage=true

Man, that's a neat looking old house! It's probably still sporting it's original Knob & Tube wiring. Kinda scary but it still works!

 

That plug might be a newer addition but you never know. Looks like non-polarized prongs. I'd say its from the 50s. The fixture might be older but you never know, since the design has been around forever. Is the cord plastic or cloth covered? Assuming the cord is original and plastic covered, that would make it newer than the 40s.  

Edited October 4, 2019 by ZXT

[Yossarian 208]

Cord has rubber insulation. The other side of the plug has screws for disassembly. I've only seen those on replacement plugs. the yellowing and aging also doesn't match up at all. That's good info on the wire, thanks.

[ClassicTractorProfessor 5,314]

@Yossarian what an awesome find...I find myself scavenging at the town dump regularly, and it always amazes me some of the things people throw away. Sadly around here when an elderly person passes, most times the younger family members clean out their house and throw 90% of the stuff away, a friend of mine was digging around at the dump one Saturday morning and found a coffee can full of old silver dollars in a box, I’m sure someone was cleaning out a garage and just started grabbing boxes and throwing them out