Lust for the little things.

We recently received an inquiry (we have received several such requests over the years) as to where to source the pull chain socket for the old porcelain bath wall sconces. You know, the sockets with those little teardrop shaped dangley things attached to a small chain coming out of the bottom or side of the wall sconce, referred to as finials. (see image), which give these wall sconces their authentic look.

Unfortunately we have not been able to find a source for these sockets. They just do not seem to be made any more. There are other sockets available which will retro fit these sconces but none with the pull chain and porcelain finial.

The only way we are able to refurbish these types of sockets is to buy 2 or 3 old sconces in hopes we can make one good one out of them. And this is no easy task. The steamy environment where they were typically installed has taken its toll as dust and grime settled in with the moisture. With 8 electrical contact points, every time the switch was activated by pulling on the finial, little arcs of electricity ate away at the copper contacts. Lucky we can make one good one out of 2 or 3 old ones.

We will keep looking for an alternative for these sockets but until we do find one, we will keep refurbishing what we can so you can keep the authentic look alive.