1920s Belsnickel Santa Figural Glass Bulb Lamp on Bliss Clamp-o-Set Brass Base

A 1920s American novelty accent lamp pairing a figural pressed-glass bulb with a brass clamp base. The bulb is molded as a full-length Belsnickel Santa — the Germanic gift-bringer that predates the commercial Santa Claus, recognizable here by the long hooded robe, the feather tree branch held to one side, and the cluster of holly berries at the front. Originally painted, with red at the lower body and white to the upper figure; substantial paint loss now reveals the frosted glass beneath, leaving a ghosted, weathered surface. The bulb carries an E-12 candelabra brass base and internal markings.

The figure seats into a Bliss Clamp-o-Set conical brass accent base, marked "PATENTS PENDING" on the underside and fitted with a Paiste socket. Designed to clamp onto a standard bulb socket, the base is a two-piece matched assembly with the bulb — the two separate for handling. Figural holiday bulbs of this type were produced by American and German makers through the 1910s–1930s for decorative electric lamps; the Belsnickel form is the more collectible variant, distinguished from generic Santa figures by the robe and feather tree.

Belsnickel is the fur-clad, switch-carrying gift-bringer of Pennsylvania Dutch and German-American holiday tradition — a figure that arrived in December to reward and admonish in equal measure, well before Coca-Cola softened Santa into the round, jolly icon. Figural glass bulbs like this one carried that older imagery into the electric age, glowing on mantels and side tables through the interwar decades. The long robe and feather tree branch mark this as a Belsnickel rather than a modern Santa, placing it squarely in the earliest generation of American holiday electric lighting.

CONDITION

Fair overall, sold as-is for restoration or display. The brass base tests fully functional, with age-appropriate patina, light rust, and oxidation consistent with 1920s production. The figural bulb is non-functional (blown filament) with significant finish loss across the painted surface, chipping, and a loose bulb base. Photos document the paint condition in detail.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Bulb: 8" H × 3" W × 3" D
• Base: 6.75" H × 4.5" Diameter
• Bulb Fitting: E-12 candelabra brass base
• Base Maker: Bliss Clamp-o-Set ("PATENTS PENDING," underside)
• Socket: Paiste, 100W / 250V
• Bulb Internal Marking: "Twg Stfn, 120V – 50W"
• Materials: Brass, glass
• Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale — Not Included