Philip Julius Handel first established the Handel Company in Meriden, Connecticut in 1876. Specializes in high quality reverse painted lamp shades and is widely regarded as a cheaper alternative to the Tiffany lamp popularized by Louis Comfort Tiffany. They also made leaded glass shade similar to Tiffany and vases, boxes of cache and other decorative elements. The stories most popular Art Nouveau and Art 1890-1920Deco period 1920-1939 was Tiffany, Handel, Duffner & Kimberly Point and Pair.

Philip Handel (19 years) and Adolph Eydam (21 years) have formed a partnership in 1885 and became the "Eydam and Handel Company" in Meriden, Connecticut, in the decoration of glass and specialization of production of the lamp. The lamp bases used by other suppliers and their own lamp bases. In 1892 the partnership ended, and the company later moved to larger structures, in New York City in 1893, andas "Philip J. Handel knew" and then "Handel and Company". In 1902 they opened their own foundry and began producing their own lamp bases. The trading company June 11, 1903 Philip J. Handel, Albert Parlow video, and Antone Teich was the main characters. In 1906, Philip J. Hirsch Fannie trade Trade married his second wife. He was the chairman of Philip Handel's death in 1914. In 1918 he was remarried in 1919 and William F. HandelCousin Philip, took control of the company.

After the First World War was a period of enormous growth. The economy was roaring and the company had put together an impressive and talented group of artists and artisans. But the Great Depression drastically changed the company's activities, and in 1929 the company was in difficulties. The company stopped production completely in 1936. The Handel Lamp Company was the best producer of reverse-painted lamps. Trade also has a number ofleaded lights. The company is an excellent example of American craftsmanship of fine quality.

Handel bases were often made of an alloy of zinc, written with a bronze patina or finish. Some had a warehouse built in bronze. The labeling was generally firm name at the bottom of the foot. Marking consisted of raised letters and / or label. Sometimes the label should be below the base or at times on the base. Lampshades were scored on the metalcomponents and / or the glass itself. Some of the glass works are signed by the artists.

Many medium and large lamp bases trade, several measures were capable of attracting small chains that attract a different set of ball-shaped ends of the chain, was served for the discussion.

It has long been common practice for the slag glass lampshades match, Tiffany shades and lamp type on different bases, itoriginal. Another common practice is to sign onto a screen without a base signed Handel lamp and the light of all the passes as a "profession". Many if not most light and shadow are called 'trade lamps simply because the style that looks like an original Handel lamp. Experts today show that about 90% of all the lamps so-called trade in fact was not made by Handel. There are many lights are signed, but not authentic. IdentifyingHandel lamp lead is a subjective process that few people are qualified to do so.

Given the history of the company may be difficult to prove a negative: namely, that a particular bulb is NOT a bargain. But as usual, money talks and you find that a lampshade Trade and suggestions for the correct, and the documentation has a command of higher prices compared to a lamp that is "attributed to Handel."

For example, some small and simple desktop of Commerceand simple piano lamps have recently sold for about $ 500. In general, the most complex sales over $ 2,000. There are few who has sold more than $ 80,000.

Some commercial artists of glass are very respected and their works to bring a premium price. Their signatures may be in some lampshades Handel can be seen. One of these artists are trade Bailey, Bedigie, Broggi Gubisch, Matzow, Palme, and Parlow, and Runge.