L.256
A German cast zinc lamp with all the attributes of German Historicism, found in a small community in the middle of Italy! Lamp body is datable around 1880-1885 just because of the Historism style. However, the Matador burner was not marketed until after 1895. It could have been a replacement burner.
The lamp is an unexpected stroke of luck, experienced in the middle of Italy. My wife and I often travel to her homeland, Italy, to get to know this country full of art and culture better. During a stay in Viterbo, an ancient city (completely medieval at its core, never destroyed) in the north of Latium, we discovered this lamp in an antique shop in the narrow streets of the old town. And - what a miracle - there were actually 2-3 kerosene/paraffin lamps to admire... We had never experienced anything like this in the smaller towns of Italy. Finally, we bought this one lamp, which was completely preserved and could fit perfectly into the collection.
The lamp is certainly from Germany; the typical historicism ornamentation and the E&G burner with the original E&G wick speak for this. A second nice surprise is that the chimney bears an Italian brand.
The squat lamp body made of cast zinc has many typical features of Historicism. The three feet alone consist of angel heads with wings and lion paws. As the original bronzing was completely rubbed off, I have re-bronzed the lamp according to my method.
Lamp Data
Added by me:
All parts are original parts of the lamp.
Cleaning and repairs:
Zinc castings primed with shoe polish and bronzed with brass wax (Laiton).
Lamp body:
Entire lamp body of ornamental-relief zinc casting. Base on three lion paw feet and with three putti, side length ca. 15.5 cm. Vase Ø 163 mm. Original gold bronzing almost completely rubbed.
Drop-in font of colourless transparent glass, Ø 133 mm. Zinc cast font lid, matching the lamp, Ø 160 mm.
Burner:
20’’’ Matador burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin, with gallery raiser.
Wick knob marked: Logo of Ehrich & Graetz.
Wick knob ring marked: 20''' Matadorbrenner.
Original flame disc E&G, marked: 20''' Matadorbrenner Schutzmarke.
Flat wick 85 mm, original by E&G, marked: 15''' Glücks-Brenner, 20''' Matador-Brenner, Salvator-Brenner.
Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney with slim bulge. Height 263 mm, Ø fitter 64 mm.
Marked: Cristallo Temperato - Extra Fine + eagle, globe and coat of arms with O.B.C.
Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade of colourless glass, upper half frosted, lower half transparent with flat etched ornamentation, flat top rim.
Height 161 mm, Ø fitter 84 and bulge 171 mm.
85 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.
Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 17.0 cm, total height with chimney 47.3 cm.
Total weight 2530 g.
