This is to show the main body of the lamp and some of the results of my rubbing. It is about 14 inches tall, quite heavy and is magnetic. What might the metal be?

This is the very top and is almost the color of copper. That may disappear with more rubbing as the very dark spots show. The grayish will polish away.

The base. You can see the reddish color starting to show of the parts I have polished more.

The under part. She also painted it. The dark is the color I remember originally, but it has been a while. What would the number be? Pretty sure it's not the lamp's date!

Is it pretty heavy? I’m wondering if it’s cast iron.

Heavy, but not that heavy.

If it holds a magnet it's cast iron...or steel. I shudder to think of the evils that have been done with a can of spray paint!

Startw ith a household cleaner like 409...it will take some sorts of cheap paint. Then try rubbing alcohol, or shellac thinner, but Likely acetone on a cotton ball and a Q-tip will be the best way to go. I think it will be a magnificent cast iron with perhaps brass or bronze trim when you are done. may need to darken with somethning like stove black....or just flat black paint.

You and Jinx may be right about cast iron. I'm afraid the design may not show up if it gets back to just iron. I've been using acetone (nail polish remover 98% acetone). Do you think the red coming through when I keep rubbing with the acetone is rust on iron? So far I haven't seen any black. If it does get down to iron, will it not rust? I really like this old lamp and don't want to mess it up.

What about an age? The design looks art nouveau to me. Or art deco. I really don't know the difference.

It is art deco/art nouveau, 1920's/30's. Is there a mark on the base? It will be small, almost inconspicuous. The base design looks like egg and dart, "series of bas-relief ovals alternating with pointed, narrow, dartlike carvings."

It could be bronze, which is a composite of different metals; bronze is heavy.

I have a Victorian oil lamp, with a round hand painted glass shade, which belonged to my grandfather...it is bronze and it is heavy.

Might the red be a primer coat?

How invested are you in this lamp?

I ask because I had some antique sconces in a silver finish but wanted to use them in my guest bathroom which had copper and oiled rubbed bronze so I had them replated in the finish that I wanted.

The lamp is quite attractive as a decorative piece but I don't think you have to worry that replating it would take away the value - that ship has sailed when it was spray painted anyway.

Not bronze it it holds a magnet...obviously cast iron. Anda gree on the Nouveau style...I see nothing deco about it.

Keep rubbing it perhaps a geni will appear!