The Pairpoint Manufacturing Company began life as a silver plating firm in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The acquisition of the Mount Washington Glass Company in 1894 led to the manufacture of specialty glass items with metal frames. These included the famous Pairpoint lamps, made from 1890 to 1929.

Pairpoint glass is often “puffy”, in that sections of the glass protrude from the overall surface. These may be fruit or flowers, which are then realistically painted to emphasize the naturalness of the 3-D effect. Puffy lamps sell for thousands of dollars, and are considered rivals to the Tiffany lamps of the same era.

Pairpoint amps were also made with vertical ribbed shades, and smooth, scenic shades. The lamp bases were made by the Pairpoint Company as well, and are sometimes marked. The lamps come in three general sizes, boudoir lamps, table lamps, and floor lamps. Not all the shades or bases are signed, so some experience is necessary to learn to identify the Pairpoint products.

Other products of the Pairpoint Company include glass and metal powder boxes, compote, console sets, candlesticks, decanters, vases, trays, scent bottles, bowls, biscuit jars and other table top decorative pieces. These are less expensive than the lamps, but are still values at over $100 for the most part.

Pairpoint was sold to Robert Gunderson in 1938 and became the Gunderson Glass Works. Following Gunderson’s death in 1952, the name Gunderson-Pairpoint was used. Although the business closed in 1956, it reopened in 1970 and continues to produce fine glassware and lamps today. You can see the current production at http://www.pairpoint.com. Pairpoint also gives tours of their production facilities if you happen to go to Sagamore, Massachusetts.

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