This lamp was found in an antique shop in Norfolk some years ago by the late John Findlay and is one of the lamps I acquired from his estate. Normally these are not dated but this one has an inscription inside the bowl. "For Mary Christmas 1938 from John C Havill" There were only two possible John Havill's who might have bought this because it is a most unusuall name. However I can find no record of a John Havill married to a Mary so maybe this expensive Christmas present did not quite hit the spot.
Yes you don't see them with original finish much. It was a very nice find and for a few years before he died John's pride and joy. A gallery to watch this because there are several variations. They come with the stems twisted both ways and from what I can gather both types of twist were available concurrently with both types of bowl. So expect at leas three more definitive posts here and maybe more.
Have you been asleep for the past eight years Jeff? If this lamp was intended as a gift to a sweetheart or sister it seems a very formal dedication don’t you think?
Hello Jean, I had not noticed that i had not previously left a reply, so I guess that my name is now Rip Van Johnson! The dedication is formal, but folk were more formal back then, but you may be correct.
Neil's covered this at length elsewhere - IIRC, he also searched 'Hovill' with exactly the same results...