1960s

Aristocrat

The Aristocrat, series 1100, was introduced in 1966 with a white porcelainized finish having drizzled gold paint, hence the collectors’ term, “squiggle Aristocrat.” This gold paint was hand-applied, and varies from loops to sharp curves. It uses a 52 oz. globe and stands 16 1/2″ tall. The cap was gold-painted. Around 1967, a black version was introduced, series 1110, and the caps were changed to match the bases. Soon after came the all-brass version with starlight holes, series 1120, sometimes called the Starburst Aristocrat. A few (probably late-production) “squiggles” have pinholes. 1100 and 1110 were discontinued circa 1970.

Around 1970 and for only a short time, the brass model used a taller, narrower upper cone. When it was switched back, the regular-shape base was now 1/4″ shorter, and stayed so permanently. The Commander was a short-lived 1970 series with a matte black base, series number unknown. A black Aristocrat was reintroduced around 1995 as a Target excusive, in yellow/blue and yellow/purple only. Around 1997 or 1998, the Midnight Aristocrat (series 1400) & Silver Aristocrat (series 1600) appeared. In 2003, when production moved to China, bases no longer had the pinholes, and the model name was changed to the Premier.

When the 1966 line-up appeared, the colors were 03 blue/green, 05 “Champagne Mist,” 06 clear/red. Later, possibly as early as 1967, 05 was replaced with 02 yellow/orange in all models except the Continental/Savoy.

Finding the correct R20 reflector bulb for the early squiggles can be challenging. The ones available today usually do not fit so best route is often to buy older ones second hand. Additionally there are variances in the dimensions by each manufacturer. The below table shows what bulbs are known to fit and not fit.

Century

The century was Lava Lite’s longest-produced model. The design, based on Crestworth’s Astro, was introduced in 1965 as the Lava Lite. There was no model name or number, it was simply The Lava Lite. The base, like the Crestworth Astro, was seamless at the ‘pinch’ and had a copper finish, but the American design added starlight perforations, a black plastic tray, and a rotary switch on the side. Photos confirm these were really produced and sold, but none have turned up today. Color number 05 was first cream lava/lavender liquid, then blue lava/lavender liquid, then “Champagne Mist,” which was cream lava in hazy (“mist”) pale amber liquid.

This model doesn’t appear in 1966 or 1967 catalogs or instruction booklets, but does in 1968. It’s possible that the original design was discontinued when the wide range of new models were introduced, and was then recreated in 1968. The next version has the “two-part base,” where the upper cone is attached to an inner cylinder which holds the socket. The finish was still satin copper, but with a gold cap, the switch disappeared, and the plastic tray sprouted three small feet. Circa 1970, the familiar brass finish appeared, though until around 1973, the gold lacquer used tended to fade, turning the bases silver.

If the model was indeed reintroduced in 1968, the series number 100 may have been selected because it was the first; until the GemLites, all other series used four-digit numbers. If so, “Century” may have been chosen because of the number. In 1995, the Silver Century was released (series 200), followed by the Midnight Century in 1996 (series 400). All were discontinued in 2003.

The green/clear Century pictured above is a refill. In the center is one of very few color 01s known to exist.

Consort

The Consort is the most common of the 20oz lineup. It featured a 5″ square walnut base and brass metal parts. Around 1968, the base was switched to woodgrain-molded brown plastic, and instead of the straight tube and flush metal disk supporting the cup, it had a tube which flared at both ends. In the photos above, the red glitter has a plastic base, the rest are wood (all five in that photo with the glitter are refills). Other wood-based models already in production at the time did not switch to plastic. Again, color 05 was soon replaced by color 02.

Known derivative models include ones with a Cross or Menorah (Meditation Series) or clown printed on the glass, the Windsor with a round metal base, the Nordic in chrome, etc.

These globes are notorious for being hard to find in good condition, having used a lower-temperature mixture. They tend to quit flowing with age, the balance changing somehow and the wax floating to the top. To see options for fixing these lamps see the 20oz lamp repair section.

Continental & Savoy (non-electric)

The Continental was a unique idea: a cordless, non-electric lamp, warmed by a wax candle within a replaceable (and disposable) glass cup. It used a 20 oz. globe and a special mix, and was approximately 14″ tall. The globe sat in a metal collar with a ‘pinch’ for support and vents below; this screwed onto the candle cups. These were tailor-made for the 1960s patio-living trend. With each candle came a wire extension to hold a match for lighting.

There are a few different iterations. The first used a shallow metal tray base, and the silver was satin silver. During this time, color 05 “Champagne Mist” was one of the standard three; it came with a yellow glass cup, while 03 came with green glass, 06 with red. The second, pictured below, had a set of snap-on metal legs instead of the tray. By that time, 05 had given way to 02, which came with an orange candle cup, and the silver with these was chrome. These colored glass cups had a rough surface, as pictured All had chrome or silver metal and round vents. The first style also had internal supports and an asbestos disk, the insertion or removal of which slowed or hastened the flow!

The last again used silver and not chrome, and used a plain frosted candle cup, sitting in a taller metal tray; the vent holes were diamond-shaped, and some had additional small round holes between and below the diamonds.

There is much model name/number confusion here. Originally, the “Continental Gift Pak,” series 3300, only in silver or chrome finish, was available to the public, while the “Savoy Commercial Model,” series 3200 in brass only, was sold to the commercial trade. Later, the Savoy came in brass or silver. Then, the Continental did, too. Then, the Continental adopted the number 3300. Last, the silver version disappeared.

At one point, the Savoy which, again, was originally aimed at restaurants, was offered with the “Happy Occasion” pack, consisting of three globes in color 05, on which were printed in black in sloped cursive, “Happy Holiday,” “Happy Birthday” & “Happy Anniversary.”

The owner of the only 2nd-style Continental known to exist, pictured, is Michelle R. Yoder.

Decorator

The Decorator appeared alongside the similar Aristocrat in 1966. 16 1/2″ tall, it had a 9 3/4″ diameter bowl attached at the base’s seam. Unlike later ‘planter’ models, the Decorator did not come with a ring of plastic flowers; catalogs suggested that “the enterprising homemaker can change the plantings to suit any occasion.” Marketing was aimed at floral shopps, although, also like later ‘planter’ models, one could not use live plants, a sticker indicating “Use No Water.” Also like the Aristocrat, early models had a gold-finished cap, later ones matched the base. A black version was not released.

There are multiple shapes of trays found on these.

Empress

This may look like a 20oz globe, but it actually larger in size. It had the same form of cup, though larger, and a real metal cap in a two-stepped design that hinted very slightly at a modern Deco look. The Empress was a wall sconce like the Princess. A walnut wood back had an inset, grid-patterned chrome plastic reflector; the silver-finished cup was attached using two posts, and had a rotary switch beneath. It was 22″ tall.

The earliest design, shown in catalogs, had a two-stepped design, and was made of metal. The next design, also metal, was a single tier, but had a raised ‘button’ on top. The last cap was actually made of wood!

Enchantress

The first Enchantress series was visibly based on Crestworth’s Mini Astro, with a slender, tapering globe. It was offered plain, aka the ‘vase’ model (series 8100), and the ‘planter’ model (series 8200) came complete with a ring of plastic flowers & greenery. These globes may have been purchased from Crestworth. Early ones had a shiny gold plastic cap with a fine, reeded molding; later ones had a brass metal cap glued over it. These had hazy “mist” liquid and their own color combinations. This style is often called the “Elegant,” after an ad with that heading. Near the end of production, three colors of flocked bases & caps were produced, called “Velva-Tone” finish. These were Mojave Gold, Malibu Orange, Mexicali Avocado.

Somewhere around 1973, it was replaced by the more familiar version with a wider base and a conical 32 oz. globe. The planter model was discontinued around 1980, but the vase model stayed in production until 2003. This model was later sold with many different finishes. The planters used several different styles of flower rings. If yours comes empty, find one you like, or store keys or loose change in it! You can also find a time period appropriate “candle ring” which is a plastic ring of flowers meant for candles that will fit perfectly .

The early-style vase model was also used for Lava Corporation’s first glitter lamp, the Glitterlite, which had slow-moving aluminum flecks in an oily liquid. These had silver metal and came in three colors.

The other Glitterlite was in the Windsor base.

Early Enchantress Planter with the slender globe & metal cap:

Later Enchantress with the conical 32 oz. globe. These are the most common flowers with this style:

The “Velva-Tone” finished variation.

Executive

This unique and now very rare model consisted of a 20oz globe mounted on a short stem similar to the Consort. This was attached to the center, toward the back, of a long walnut rectangle, with a brass disk where it joined the base. On either side were mounted Eversharp brand ball-point pens in swivel holders. The pens and holders were black with brass band & swivel. A pencil rest groove was near the front of the base. 13 1/2″ tall, base was 13″ by 5 1/2″. Some bases have straight sides, others are sloped.

A later model (see Nordic, below) using this name consisted of a brass Consort on a boxy, brass-finished metal base.

Imperial

This incredible model stands an impressive 46 3/4″ tall. The globe is a cylinder, topped with a shallow, pointed metal cap with an indented groove at the outer edge. The base is a cone with a wider cylindrical top to hold the globe. The base sits in a 15″ round table, made from particle board covered with walnut veneer, standing on three round, tapered walnut legs splayed outward at a slight angle, each having a brass tip with a swivel glider. Early catalogs say it had white enameled metal; all models so far discovered have a satin brass finish. Some Imperials, but not all, had a tiny pinhole in the tip of the cap that is possibly in place to allow for pressure release, and a few had three holes for venting purposes placed on the base cone, immediately beneath the table ring, to regulate the temperature in the base. It used a 150 watt FL-R-40 flood bulb. A similar lamp was released by Crestworth named the Rocket, pictured top right, often misidentified as the Princess (which was a table model with three white metal legs).

Less than a dozen Imperials are known to be in the hands of collectors. There may be more in the hands of more secretive collectors, but it is hard to estimate how many are left. It is possible there are several in the hands of unknowing owners and possibly locked away deep in basements. Given the age of these lamps it is unlikely many more will resurface, but some do occasionally appear for sale on social groups or eBay. One Glitterlite Imperial with gold liquid exists, probably a custom order.

Imperials contain a different formula and special care needs to be taken when refurbishing them. See the Imperial Restoration page on this site for more information before attempting any modifications.

Meditation Series aka Prayer Lites

Sometimes called the Meditation Series, other times Prayer Lites in catalogs, these were simply Consorts with a printed pattern on the globe, a Cross (line & outline) or Menorah (sort of, only seven arms). None of the latter are known to exist. Like the Consort, it was switched from wood to plastic.

If you have pictures of the Menorah lamp please get in touch with us.

Mediterranean

This beautiful lamp followed the 1970s trend in Mediterranean furnishings. This model used a Consort globe, cup and cap, supported perhaps 4″ off the table by three legs made from segments of bent steel bands made to resemble scrolls of wrought iron. The base and scrolls were finished in a dull black, the cap was matte black plastic. 13 1/4″ tall, 4 1/4″ diameter. A GemLite version exists, the only GemLite with a four-digit number.

“Music Box”

Despite photos of these being assembled in the factory, no catalog listing has been seen so far. The model name and number are as yet unknown. It is essentially a Decorator with a reversed tray, though this exact shape was not used on a Decorator. Mounted beneath are two mechanical Swiss music boxes, with their keys on top. Rumor has it that one played a song by Peter, Paul and Mary (“Puff, the Magic Dragon” was available on music boxes). At least two have turned up that played “Hickory Dickory Dock.” Another has turned up that plays “Mary Had A Little Lamb” and some unknown European lullaby. All have base-matching caps.

One has been seen with a globe which appears to be the earliest color 05, cream lava/lavender liquid.

(Child’s) Night Lite

The Night Lite or Child’s Night Lite is a rare Consort variant with a sketchy image of a juggling clown printed on the globe. It, too, switched from wood bases to plastic. Note the known version’s clown varies slightly from that pictured in catalogs. Colors are the same.

Nordic

There were two lamps called Nordic (another Crestworth name). The first was a chrome Consort with a black rather than brown woodgrain-molded plastic base. The other had a boxy, silver-finished metal base. The metal base seems to be earlier. The brass version of the metal-base Nordic was called the Executive.

Princess

The Princess is a Consort-sized Empress, and all details are the same save that only one post supports the cup. No relation to the 32 oz. lamp with a white base, released in 1990.

“Psyche-De-Lite”

This is a variant of the unknown model nicknamed the “Expo.” It was available only to the members of the fan club of rock group the Blues Magoos, the first band to be advertized as “psychedelic.” It has the same base design as the Expo, but instead of having a black textured finish has a red glossy finish with a Blue Magoos sticker on the back. A photo exists (below) of the band sitting around an Imperial, three of them holding these lamps. One is black like the “Expo,” the others are painted but have bright gold caps. The text below says the Blues Magoos always travel with “two giant Psyche-DelItes,” presumably Imperials, but no photos or video of the band seem to show these.

New PSYCHE-DE-LITE is a secret formula psychedelic lite that creates the wildest, weirdest shapes imaginable! It moves…it undulates…It’ll blow your mind! The glowing red LAVA lives…breathes…fascinates… You’ll watch it for hours, absolutely hypnotised. It’s so wild the BLUES MAGOOS carry two GIANT PSYCHE-DE-LITES with them, everywhere they go. PSYCHE-DE-LITE is 11″ high, has a monochromatic red base, with red LAVA floating in a clear liquid.

Get your PSYCHE-DE-LITE through the BLUES MAGOOS and SAVE! $14.95 value, only $9.95 with attached coupon.

Blues Magoos Ad

Regency aka Royal

Just as the Consort & Princess are the same size, the Empress & Regency are the same size. Like the Empress, there were three cap designs. The earliest ones had a Consort wood base. While these never switched to plastic, the later Regency had the step-up wood base shown. The Regency & Empress were known as the “Royal 4000 series”. A bit after the Empress was discontinued, the Regency was renamed Royal. 21 1/2″ tall.

Windsor

Another variation of the Consort, 15″ tall. Instead of using a square wooden or plastic base, the Windsor uses a 6″ round metal base with woodgrain print. It was also made as a Glitterlite.