Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Your answer was amazingly helpful. Now that I know what they are (chalkware) I was able to do some further research and I suspect they are lamps from Reglor of California. Reglor produced lamps, typically in male/female pairs utilizing the same paint colors as shown on my pair. They didn't use gilding as far as I can tell, but following your suggestion to google "Siamese Dancers", I did find a similar pair with the gilding. I can't verify the stamp either, since the bottom of the lamps is covered in green felt and I don't want to start pulling them apart. There may be a California connection somewhere as I also have several pairs of earrings purchased at J. Magnin's Department Store in San Franciso (they still have the original tags attached) that were in the attic with the lamp. I found this link to helpful: http://www.citysalvage.com/reglor/ Now the question is what the heck do I do with them?

What does the bottom look like? Whre did you get them? are they pottery as they appear? Or plaster? Is that paint? Or glaze on pottery? How is the stem of the lamp put through the head? Or does it run down the back From what I see, they look like something that has been molded and painted to perhaps match some furniture.... Linda C

Hi, graywings - I know what you mean about the rock-hard pine! Even pre-drilling holes was a challenge, until I up-graded my cordless drill. :-) Still wasn't a piece of cake, but much better, (and I REALLY wanted this Bosch, lol). One thing I read - and tried with success - is to "mark" your nail/drilling spot with an "X" of masking tape. It really helps prevent the plaster from chipping & crumbling away while working. Yippee! No more 2" hole in outer plaster coat surrounding a tiny nail or screw hole! It even helped for drilling - the vibration while trying to penetrate the concrete - I mean "pine" sometimes made the problem worse (for me, anyway). I know this wasn't what you were asking - but I thought I'd mention it. :-)

First, to answer a few questions.. Sombreuil, the large duct/pipe is the HVAC(?), central heat & AC (heatpump). I don't understand why it is this way, perhaps it can be explained simply enough, that I'll understand... It comes into the room, continues about about 3', (I said "4", previously, but definitely closer to 3), then angles over to the ceiling vent by the window. Couldn't a vent be placed at the wall, right where it comes into the room? It supplies nothing but that one air-vent.. The small black pipe seems to be venting, presumably sewer. Oh - the lamp cord is the plug-in for that flourescent light fixture flopper put in. (HATE it!). Did he screw that up, too? There seem to be varying opinions on the wiring... I'm not sure what to think, at this point. Above most of this room is a void, pseudo-attic space behind 5'(ish) kneewall. I can access it - but it's not easy. The insulation, I want to get rid of anyway - it's gross. I could definitely stay away from any electrical when replacing it. (It was resting on/smooshed upon that K&T, I've pushed it up & away for now - what I could reach, at least). Money is more tight than usual, right now - due, only in part, to this bathroom/laundry room fiasco. (I thought things happened "in three's"? We passed "3", got to "6", still going, lol!). So, the very THOUGHT of bringing in "Mr. Electrician" makes me start to sweat & tremble... I am Chicken Little, by nature.