L.336

A former Moderator oil lamp in painted porcelain from Bayeux. Made around 1850-1870. The vase of this lamp was made by the French porcelain manufactory in Bayeux in the style of chinoiserie scenes and motifs, for which Bayeux is also famous. From the same manufactory I have another Moderator lamp, L.106, with similar motifs. Information about the Bayeux porcelain manufactory can be found at L.106.

I was delighted when I was able to buy this lamp, because I really like hand-painted porcelain lamps. Besides, the somewhat oversized glass font on it was just right for another lamp. But I had no idea how much work I had to put into this lamp.

The conversion to a kerosene/paraffin lamp was probably done rather amateurishly. The font was completely glued into the neck of the lamp. The brass base and the lower part of the Moderator oil container were also glued together. The connector between the base and the vase was completely dented on one side. Mr. Kühnel was able to remove the font in a solvent bath, but not the lower part.

I had to saw off the lower iron sheet completely in order to be able to remove the brass base and the connector. From my remaining parts I made a corresponding threaded undermount receiver and glued it to the upper neck. At the bottom I soldered a brass rod to the Moderator container so that I could screw a suitably sawn iron plate to it to hold the base part in place. I was able to bend the brass connector back again.

I fitted a Baccarat font with a brass undermount. Fitted with a 14’’’ Kosmos burner and chimney and completed with a simpler Art Nouveau tulip shade, the lamp has finally gained a beautiful appearance.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass font, burner, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Former Moderator lamp. Base of ornamental cast brass, on 6 feet, Ø 149 mm. Between vase and base a connector of brass sheet, pressed in at the side.
Vase of painted porcelain from Bayeux with Chinese scenes, Ø 139 mm. Vase finished with ornamental brass casting at the top.
Baccarat font, colourless crystal glass, a row of olive cuts on the upper rim, Ø 133 mm.

Burner:
14’’’ Kosmos burner of Hugo Schneider, Leipzig.
Wick knob marked: Kosmos Brenner.
Flat wick 66 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 250 mm, Ø fitter 52 mm.
Marked: Cristal Supérieur - Made in France 14''' + crown in garland.

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade, colourless glass, light green at the top, colourless at the bottom, frosted, optically ribbed, upper rim 5-fold inward curled.
Height 160 mm, Ø fitter 67 and bulge 142 mm.
70 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 39.8 cm, total height with chimney 68.6 cm.
Total weight 2400 g.