L.001

This is the first lamp I bought at a flea market in Frankfurt sometime in the early 1990s. I think it was at the Book Fair in Frankfurt; there were several antiquarian book sellers in front of the Fair Tower (which always attracted me magically), and among them 1-2 antique dealers. And at one of them I discovered the lamp. It had a metal base with a clear, understated Art Nouveau pattern. My love of Art Nouveau led me to buy the lamp. I had no idea about kerosene/paraffin lamps at the time.

The lamp had a 20-line Matador burner and also the correct Matador chimney, but no shade. At that time I had no idea what Matador or Kosmos meant. In the meantime, I had bought light red coloured and strawberry scented lamp oil (today I know better: it's kerosene/paraffin) and put the lamp into operation. It didn't burn well at all; it sootted all the time. At that time I didn't know that this burner should also have a flame disc, and it was missing here!  The missing flame disc had probably caused a disappointing burning. Perhaps the lamp oil was also of inferior quality. At some point I lost interest in it. For years, the lamp stood in our living room as a purely decorative piece as it was, without shade and shade holder.

Now that I know a lot better, I have put in an original Matador flame disc. And lo and behold, the lamp burns much better! I then completed the lamp with a light green Vesta shade from the Art Nouveau period and the matching shade holder. I replaced the unmarked glass chimney with a marked one. The lamp now radiates a simple beauty, as the proportions of the lamp base and Vesta shade are harmonious. The lamp probably comes from Germany, as the original burner was a German burner.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Flame disc, glass chimney, Vesta shade and shade holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
I bronzed the zinc cast base with brass wax (Laiton).

Lamp body:
Base of cast zinc, square, with restrained Art Nouveau or Art Deco ornamentation, connected to font by a round brass part, 142 x 142 mm, Ø 171 mm. The base was probably formerly bronzed, now completely rubbed off. Without any number or designation.
Font made of colourless, transparent crystal glass, decorated with long line and olive cuts, removable, Ø 149 mm. Undermount thread 22.5 mm.

Burner:
20’’’ Matador burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin.
Wick knob ring marked: 20‘‘‘ Matadorbrenner.
Wick knob marked: Logo of Ehrich & Graetz.
Original Matador flame disc of Ehrich & Graetz, marked: 20‘‘‘ Matador.
Flat wick 90 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney. Height 280 mm, Ø fitter 64 mm.
Marked: Cristal Supérieure 20 + crown in garland.

Shade and shade holder:
Vesta shade, pale green milk glass, Art Nouveau shape, fluted top rim.
Height 173 mm, Ø fitter 234 and bulge 263 mm.
235 mm shade holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 24.5 cm, total height with chimney 56.0 cm.
Total weight 2340 g.