1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
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L
E G E N D :
Years
General
information
Model
Names
Descriptions
Variations
known/seen
Color
Combinations - Lava color/ Liquid color
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1980s
The
popularity of the Lava Lite fades slowly...
1970s
models are slowly discontinued. Carlisle, Capri, Mystique and Continental
hang on the longest, into the mid 1980s. All Gem Lites survive to mid 80s,
but only Confetti model GemLite survives cutbacks in model lineup. Lava
Coach Lantern loses some of its detail. Enchantress is kept, as are bestseller
Century, and Aristocrat.
Company
becomes Lava-Simplex Internationale "Makers of Lava Time Decorator Clocks,
Simplex Cameras, and 'DecorArt' Objects D'Art". At time of full model lineup
cutbacks in mid-80s, company is bought by Haggerty Enterprises, which hosts
other companies, including Creators' Lamp Co., makers of the Shower Lite,
the 1970s "shabby chic" lamp with a Grecian goddess, a dancing couple or
a house with a spinning mill wheel surrounded by nylon threads over which
mineral oil flows to simulate raindrops, and Hobby Hill, makers of "picture
lights", those narrow brass tubes holding lightbulbs, that are held on
brackets over framed paintings to illuminate them.
Mid-1980s model lineup after cutbacks includes:
Enchantress
(Vase)
Many
more models introduced after the early 90s would follow this shape, changing
only the base/cap color and inside colors.
Coach Lantern
Century
Still
a #1 seller, as always!
Aristocrat
Upper
edge of base is lowered slightly.
As
lamp model lineup is scaled back, colors are changed to:
Red/
Yellow
White/
Blue
Coach
Lantern is, after cutbacks, only available in 1970s color:
Red/
Clear but is soon joined by the White/ Blue combination. The Red/ Clear
that survives is rich and beautiful, with a darker red in a clear that
often turns pale rose after prolonged use.
"New
Wave" 80s model additions and changes:
Rainbow
series 200
A
new model for the 80s! Basic Enchantress Vase form. Four "unique new colors".
A specific model in the Rainbow line was the
Aztec
model 205
This
model had a powdercoat metallic bronze base and cap with "new Sun Gold
Lava". Color was:
Sun
Gold lava - Clear liquid
Other
probable colors for this line, that have been found in old lamps, include
lime green in clear and orange in clear; these have been seen in both Aztec
bronze and Midnight black base/caps, and I am unsure of the precise link
between the Midnight, the Aztec and the Rainbow, and the colors.
This
"Rainbow" series apparently didn't last too long on the market.
Midnight
This
Enchantress Vase shape model had a black base and cap, perfect for the
minimalist 80s look. In a dark room, no "starlight" holes or shiny colored
metal detracted from the glowing slow-motion hypnotic dance of the lava.
Colors were the two basic 80s ones, red/yellow and white/blue. The white/blue
Midnight may have started its days as a Rainbow series model.
for
additions and questions, contact Jonas Goo