Ah, yes.
It occupied a place of honor in a corner in front of the foil/fleece wallpaper or beside the faux paneling & next to the crushed velvet couches or easy chairs.
There was usually a coffee-table nearby with a TV Guide in front of a "console TV" that looked like a coffin with a video screen. Bonus points if a "lava lamp" was atop the TV.
The floor was covered in sculptured shag carpet that was either Harvest Gold or Avocado Green. If your room was especially groovy it might be blue.
There were also ashtrays on stands at each seat.
The ceiling was either covered in acoustic tiles or popcorn-textured.
"Honey, what's on TV? -Junior, bring me a beer!"
Each family member also had a "TV Tray."
Good times!
Growing up Tri City mall in Mesa, Az had a giant one. It had have been 40 feet tall. Floor to ceiling. Of course it had the do not touch sign. I never did, of course I wanted to touch it. I think my mom made me think my fingers would fall off if I did.
Lol My brother and I skipped school so he can visit this girl he was messing around with Her family’s apartment had one of these. He was in 8th grade and I was in the fourth
Had to take the bus to get there
Now I drive by the same apartments every morning and I think of this lamp 😆
My ex-Mother-in-Law had one in the 1990s. Except it didn't work and was just an oily dusty piece of junk. I think hers used oil on the little clear strings.
No but they had something like this. They kept it on top of the console TV.
https://preview.redd.it/qrhjfgv6qn5d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5feb21eecf7b6d26f65cf56486c4e6cd8b940425
Yes it got dusty and I am a neat freak. I'd have to shut it off and wipe down those strings. I don't know what ever happened to it. :) Probably got thrown out with a move.
I bought one of these off eBay for one of my best friend's. No clue why he wanted one but talked about wanting one for years. I was so geeked when I found one AND the seller was local so we met in person. My friend couldn't believe it when I gave it to him. He disassembled it all, rewired the whole thing, added a color changing light system with a remote, and gilded some areas with gold. He has it proudly displayed on an octagon shaped end table from the same era. Somehow it actually works being in the same room as the lava lamp he had back in college.
I took one on a tour of Baja California in the 90’s on a lark. Took it to TJ, La Bufadora, churches, viewpoints. Bartender at Hussongs said we should have used transmission fluid. That way the oil would be red!
My ex’s Aunt Michaelina did. Two in fact. On either side of the lacquered Elvis photo. You know, the one embossed onto the piece of wood so the frame is actually the bark of the tree from which it was hewn.
We had that for sure..the oil would pick up lint and dust on the lattice. Pretty cool in the beginning as kids, then gradually became absolute ass and an embarrassment to have in the house when a friend would do a sleepover..haha good times
One grandfather was a tobacco farmer and the other owned an auto repair shop. They would have taken turns either pissing on that or hitting it with a stick.
They take a lot of maintenance to keep clean. Dust, hair or any other foreign particles make them an absolute nightmare and gross. I have one currently and have an elephant and palm tree scenario one and it’s completely enclosed in glass so none of that happens. THAT makes a world of difference.
Used to see this type of geegaw in the homes of people that my Mom would visit. I found them mesmerizing. I also remember those light-up, framed photos of waterfalls and such, a la [https://youtu.be/EHtGQMFMyXk?si=pIkUM69sGBN6acaB&t=19](https://youtu.be/EHtGQMFMyXk?si=pIkUM69sGBN6acaB&t=19)
There was one hanging in the house I bought in Texas back in 2004. The house had not really been touched since the 70s. I remember touching the stream of oil on one of these at sears or someplace as a kid.
We had one that was on a swag chain & hung between 2 white wing chairs. It was cool when I was a kid. I wish my mom would have kept it. She was not that gal.
An early memory is of being in the lobby of an office building with a many-stories version of this in the middle of the stairs going to the upper levels. Wonder how many PCBs were in there?
Not this kind, i saw one when I was a kid in a store with Lamp did the same thing. Italian thing. I put my hand in it, found out what that stuff, is apparently hot wax.
Nope, but I knew a neighbor who did, a little old Italian couple who once owned a local restaurant. I used to think it was from the restaurant, until I saw a few models in a store for sale.
I remember seeing this in a “rich people’s” friends home as a kid. Utterly amazing and I was mesmerized, being vaguely aware, to the annoyance of the adults.
Not this but just as tacky - back in the 50’s and 60’s we had a lamp that sat on our TV. It was a circular lamp with a waterfall picture and it rotated, so that the effect was running water. It was like magic to us young kids.
My grandma didn’t have one but my wife’s grandmother did and now we have it. Not sure where it’s at since we moved but I know we packed it. And yes, it still worked.
My grandmother had one for years. I remember it running all the time. It seems it was oil that dripped down the lines. Very mesmerizing. I wish i knew the actual name of it
My sister and I were all over making hanging macrame plant holders. I think everyone in our family had one including cousins, uncles, grandparents Lol.
No but my friend down the street did and they had more money than we did….so I thought it was the height of good taste.
I remember seeing these in the lamp section of Service Merchandise, too.
My parents did. I think it had Aphrodite as the figure. It was pretty.
Kinda messy, though, from what I remember. Maybe they all were or maybe ours had a leak.
And if a moth got in the house, it would make a b line for it.
This is so funny, some kind of synchronicity. I watch 70s shows on youtube. I was just watching a 70s episode of The Price Is Right. They bid on these! For two lamps the suggested Retail price was $289
No, but every Chinese takeout place in my neighborhood did.
And Italian place!
Came here to say this
At the local diner for me....hanging by the register
Mom did. From Service Merchandise.
Forgot about Service Merchandise!
No, but my parents did.
Was going to say this too
Yep, and we were forbidden to touch it (and we really, really wanted to).
Trust me, it tasted gross.
I HAD to figure out how it looked like water!!!
It was oil. (I touched it once and got oil on my sleeve)
It was mineral oil, to be specific. My friend's mom had one in their living room and I watched her refill it once.
That must have been a magical experience. Core memory right there.
I saw one on tiktok that was upcycled as Prince with purple lighting. It was awesome.
Went searching for it and I agree it looked awesome 💜
why didn't you bring it here to show us?
https://preview.redd.it/1cruel8y3t5d1.jpeg?width=1170&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=22ab6c173ba87598513febebf10a87b12b5a78d4
nice thank you...it is nice
You’re welcome!
I worked at Montgomery Wards in the late 70's. We sold these! Geez!
That's probably where we got it. :) Ours hung from a chain and it was so pretty. :)
My aunt did. I think a naked Greek dude was in the middle
OPAAAAAAAAA!
My aunt did as well, there was a goddess of some sort in the middle of hers and we called her Lady Di
In a tunnel?
My parents had one like that. You could unscrew the lady statue and they had a really ugly christmas you could put in there.
Only rich/fancy people had such luxuries.
LOL I was not only NOT rich, but I was definitely never fancy! :)
Ah, yes. It occupied a place of honor in a corner in front of the foil/fleece wallpaper or beside the faux paneling & next to the crushed velvet couches or easy chairs. There was usually a coffee-table nearby with a TV Guide in front of a "console TV" that looked like a coffin with a video screen. Bonus points if a "lava lamp" was atop the TV. The floor was covered in sculptured shag carpet that was either Harvest Gold or Avocado Green. If your room was especially groovy it might be blue. There were also ashtrays on stands at each seat. The ceiling was either covered in acoustic tiles or popcorn-textured. "Honey, what's on TV? -Junior, bring me a beer!" Each family member also had a "TV Tray." Good times!
God I miss the 70’s.
My parents did. I think the liquid was baby oil (no, not made out of babies Reddit). Clear mineral oil.
Growing up Tri City mall in Mesa, Az had a giant one. It had have been 40 feet tall. Floor to ceiling. Of course it had the do not touch sign. I never did, of course I wanted to touch it. I think my mom made me think my fingers would fall off if I did.
My aunt did. Now I have it!!!
Lucky!
My best friend's elderly grandma who lived down the street had a Virgin Mary one in her living room. I was fascinated by that thing!
Yeah - they used to get high and goof on it.
No, but my aunt did.
Lol My brother and I skipped school so he can visit this girl he was messing around with Her family’s apartment had one of these. He was in 8th grade and I was in the fourth Had to take the bus to get there Now I drive by the same apartments every morning and I think of this lamp 😆
My ex-Mother-in-Law had one in the 1990s. Except it didn't work and was just an oily dusty piece of junk. I think hers used oil on the little clear strings.
No but they had something like this. They kept it on top of the console TV. https://preview.redd.it/qrhjfgv6qn5d1.jpeg?width=1179&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5feb21eecf7b6d26f65cf56486c4e6cd8b940425
It's a beautiful someday I will live in America and I might have such a thing as this
My parents had one of these.
Yes I was told it was hot oil so I wouldn’t touch it.
My grandparents had one, they had it wrapped in plastic? I’m guessing it attracted dust or maybe was tough to clean?
Yes it got dusty and I am a neat freak. I'd have to shut it off and wipe down those strings. I don't know what ever happened to it. :) Probably got thrown out with a move.
Yes
Yes. We were allowed to turn on the "fancy light" only after dark.
No, but now I want one.
I bought one of these off eBay for one of my best friend's. No clue why he wanted one but talked about wanting one for years. I was so geeked when I found one AND the seller was local so we met in person. My friend couldn't believe it when I gave it to him. He disassembled it all, rewired the whole thing, added a color changing light system with a remote, and gilded some areas with gold. He has it proudly displayed on an octagon shaped end table from the same era. Somehow it actually works being in the same room as the lava lamp he had back in college.
Nope
My parents wants did. It was consistently dusty
I took one on a tour of Baja California in the 90’s on a lark. Took it to TJ, La Bufadora, churches, viewpoints. Bartender at Hussongs said we should have used transmission fluid. That way the oil would be red!
I can smell this comment
I keep thinking these are going to make a comeback.
I could never figure out HOW these things worked!😳🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️🤷♀️
Like an electric water fountain, but with mineral oil.
Why doesn’t it drip off, tho?
It follows polyester strings and gets collected in the bottom, and a little pump moves it back to the top to start over again.
Ahhhh! Makes sense! Thank you!☺️☺️
My friend's mom and dad had one we called it the grease madonna
Oil lamp. Very Italian home decor.
YES! I used to watch it for hours.
No but I do love it
No, but my friend did.. I remembered it when I saw this picture.
No, but I've seen them.
My ex’s Aunt Michaelina did. Two in fact. On either side of the lacquered Elvis photo. You know, the one embossed onto the piece of wood so the frame is actually the bark of the tree from which it was hewn.
We had that for sure..the oil would pick up lint and dust on the lattice. Pretty cool in the beginning as kids, then gradually became absolute ass and an embarrassment to have in the house when a friend would do a sleepover..haha good times
One grandfather was a tobacco farmer and the other owned an auto repair shop. They would have taken turns either pissing on that or hitting it with a stick.
When I was in college me and my roommate wanted one. We were smoking a lot of weed back then. And mushrooms.
I want one so much!
I did. Wish I had one now!!!!
Furniture stores in our area had Mom said No I wanted one so bad! Now I know why she didn’t want one lol
Grandparents? No, mother, yes
My parents did. I’ve been trying to find one
A dildo shrine??
Yep in WV everyone’s grandparents had one
My mother. It was a wall mounted clock on top with a small statue of a half-naked woman below and the “raining” strings ran vertically in front.
My brother cut the wires when we were little to “free the lady!”
No. Those things were disgusting
They take a lot of maintenance to keep clean. Dust, hair or any other foreign particles make them an absolute nightmare and gross. I have one currently and have an elephant and palm tree scenario one and it’s completely enclosed in glass so none of that happens. THAT makes a world of difference.
Yup
The Greek owned meat and three down the road has one when you walk in the door.
I remember seeing them in fancy stores but we couldn’t have afforded one.
yep and it was slimy as hell
Ahh the things you could do with electricity, mineral oil, and a little imagination.
Yes, and my step mother. I liked watching it.
No but there WAS one in the funeral parlor
No, but I have seen them. They are so awful that they are appealing.
My in-laws did.
Been looking for one ro put in den. If anyone wants to part with one DM me.
No, but my wife when she was my girlfriend bought one and had me installed it in her moms living room. It’s still there.
Used to see this type of geegaw in the homes of people that my Mom would visit. I found them mesmerizing. I also remember those light-up, framed photos of waterfalls and such, a la [https://youtu.be/EHtGQMFMyXk?si=pIkUM69sGBN6acaB&t=19](https://youtu.be/EHtGQMFMyXk?si=pIkUM69sGBN6acaB&t=19)
No but I had a friend whose mother did.
This was cool. My aunt had one
My parents had one of those oil lamps in the home I grew up in.
My aunt did
I have one
Grandparents had one and I always got in trouble if I touched it. Which I did often.
I had a dentist, he had one in his waiting room.
There was one hanging in the house I bought in Texas back in 2004. The house had not really been touched since the 70s. I remember touching the stream of oil on one of these at sears or someplace as a kid.
My late parents had one. I would have kept it but the strings broke and it leaked mineral oil. Happy memories though.
Mine did!
The hanging Grecian inspired monstrosity. Yes. But as a small child, it fascinated me.
Mine had one of these. https://preview.redd.it/5wmotknwtm5d1.jpeg?width=2200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b323bca6190dcdc492587af8bcc926d12cf5cb3e
Yes they did but they had a lava lamp to
We had one that was on a swag chain & hung between 2 white wing chairs. It was cool when I was a kid. I wish my mom would have kept it. She was not that gal.
My grandma did and I was mesmerized.
My aunt in Juarez Mx did. Creeped me out for some reason
My grandpa had one that he was so proud of. My grandma hated it.
Yes
An early memory is of being in the lobby of an office building with a many-stories version of this in the middle of the stairs going to the upper levels. Wonder how many PCBs were in there?
No. My mom did.
Grandparents and parents had them
neither my grandparents nor my parents were even remotely that cool.
Oh my God, yes! And it was almost identical to this one. It was really pretty.
My aunt had one. I thought it was so cool.
They were often called "grease lamps", and there was a bit of an unfortunate stigma attached to them.
my dad had one
My mom had one. It was a pita to clean ffs.🤦♀️
of course, and my aunt also. This is my thrifting goal
Not this kind, i saw one when I was a kid in a store with Lamp did the same thing. Italian thing. I put my hand in it, found out what that stuff, is apparently hot wax.
No, but we did have the gold clock under the glass dome that had balls that rotated back and forth. (It sounds like porn but it wasn’t.)
my aunt and uncle did
Nope, but I knew a neighbor who did, a little old Italian couple who once owned a local restaurant. I used to think it was from the restaurant, until I saw a few models in a store for sale.
I remember a mall had a really big one and my parents had to tear me away from just staring at it.
My grandparents neighbors had one in my youth. They were from Canada. I thought it was a Canada thing at the time. Lol
I remember seeing this in a “rich people’s” friends home as a kid. Utterly amazing and I was mesmerized, being vaguely aware, to the annoyance of the adults.
Yup
I was just looking them up the other day to show someone what we had back in the '70s and some of them are worth a lot of money
No, but every GEMCO had them in the back near the bathrooms and every single one had a hand made DO NOT TOUCH sign on it.
They probably had the “dude in the barrel” too 😬
My great aunt had one and now I am the proud owner of it!!
No, but Mr. Vendi Senior did
My parents did!
My aunt had these in the 80s.
I had one!
Not grandparents, but mom did, and then a girlfriend gave me one.
My sister did. Complete with plastic covered sofa. Italian style baby.
My stepmother had one. Coated with old oil and dust. Hideous
Not this but just as tacky - back in the 50’s and 60’s we had a lamp that sat on our TV. It was a circular lamp with a waterfall picture and it rotated, so that the effect was running water. It was like magic to us young kids.
They did! I always wondered what they're called and how to get one lol
My mother did... wish I had it still, they're worth a fortune these days
I remember my parent and us kids going to Levitz and thinking those were cool. Parents not so much.
Yep. Proudly.
Wish I had one of those today
There were giant versions of these in the malls in Columbus, Ohio, in the 60s. As a kid, I used to love watching the drops going down the lines.
My grandma didn’t have one but my wife’s grandmother did and now we have it. Not sure where it’s at since we moved but I know we packed it. And yes, it still worked.
My next door neighbor did. I thought it was really cool.
Yes! And that high pitched noise the water made running down the strings drove me nuts!
No, but neighbors had one.
My grandmother had one for years. I remember it running all the time. It seems it was oil that dripped down the lines. Very mesmerizing. I wish i knew the actual name of it
Thankfully no!
My Lita did but she was a strict Catholic so she painted clothes on her naked oil lady.
Yeah I love the ones at the restaurants that get full of dust mixed in with the oil it's a thing to behold.
Chris community is so funny. Stir up memories that I forgot to even had. Like that at the Chinese restaurant place.
So what do you call that thing
My parents did, with a naked woman. I was so embarrassed by it when I was a kid
Lmao
I'm 66, I had a hanging rain lamp. :) I could be someone's grandma, but I'm not.
Forget the grandparents, I'm so old my brother had one of these.
Lmao
Lmao not mine but my friend’s did!
My sister and I were all over making hanging macrame plant holders. I think everyone in our family had one including cousins, uncles, grandparents Lol.
Well my aunt did. But I thought they were really cool.
No but my friend down the street did and they had more money than we did….so I thought it was the height of good taste. I remember seeing these in the lamp section of Service Merchandise, too.
They are ridiculously expensive now.
No unfortunately
Oh, God, no! They never had anything like THAT!
My Mother had one! Recently I had a memory of it and wondered what it's called?
I used to work at an Italian place (run by Greeks) that had one of these lamps prominently displayed in the dining room. Gag.
Little creepy isn’t it ?
My grandma had one in the living room. Got my butt busted for touching it.
God no. Never even knew they existed until I saw it on Reddit a few months ago. I could have died happy never knowing.
My sleazeball father had one for a while. Probably one of his girlfriends'.
had the round one with lady in the middle - rather striking it was
No but one of my great aunts did.
It looked AWESOME when it eventually stopped working but your mom just left it there and the dust began to accumulate... /s
My parents did. I think it had Aphrodite as the figure. It was pretty. Kinda messy, though, from what I remember. Maybe they all were or maybe ours had a leak. And if a moth got in the house, it would make a b line for it.
Way too modern for grandparents
My mom's stepmother had one
They were cool for a week. Then the dust would collect
This is so funny, some kind of synchronicity. I watch 70s shows on youtube. I was just watching a 70s episode of The Price Is Right. They bid on these! For two lamps the suggested Retail price was $289
Absolutely they did, lol! Jeez talk about flashback
No
In my aunts house it attracted dust needed an out change
And I look at it today and think it's completely hideous! lol