L.311
A rare British figural lamp of masterful elegance as a competitor to similar French lamps. A beautifully modelled female figure, dressed entirely in the garb of late historicism, carries a font holder above with both hands. An old, classical glass font with a beautifully cut side wall and a Hinks collar mounted on it. The lamp in this high quality could come entirely from Hinks & Son; unfortunately I have no proof of this. Made probably around 1880-1890.
Unfortunately, the lamp had suffered considerable damage in transit: The statue had several fresh cracks, especially on the left arm, on both shoulders, in the ankle area, under the left armpit. There was a larger hole at the base of the left neck. The font support above was half torn and one of the lady's fingers was missing. But the glass font was still intact! The figure was covered with a partly thick black paint; with a pitted surface and was completely dirty and unsightly. I completely sanded off the paint in the raised areas and cleaned the surface of the statue. I couldn't find out whether there was an original bronzing under the black paint.
I filled, closed and smoothed all the cracks and holes with Stabilit®, and polished the areas of the skin extra. I filled the font support with epoxy filler and glued the upper part as best I could with Stabilit®. I modelled the broken finger out of Stabilit®. Then I bronzed the entire zinc casting with gold wax.
A good Duplex burner from Hinks, an oval bulge Duplex chimney and a beautifully etched British tulip went perfectly with this handsome lamp. Now the lamp shines again in sublime beauty.
Lamp Data
Added by me:
Burner with globe holder, glass chimney and tulip shade.
Cleaning and repairs:
See above.
Lamp body:
Base made of glossy black glazed stoneware, Ø 160 mm.
Statue made entirely of cast zinc, originally painted black (completely unsightly). Height of statue 34.2 cm.
Font made of faceted cut, clear glass, very slightly tinted in eggplant brown colour (hardly perceptible), Ø 150 mm. Bayonet collar, marked: Hinks & Son's patent. Font can be unscrewed; undermount thread 21.5 mm.
Burner:
Duplex burner of Hinks & Son, Birmingham, with gallery raiser and flame extinguisher. Bayonet fitting. Firmly attached globe holder.
Cap bridge marked: Hinks & Son Patent.
Wick knob marked: Hinks's Duplex No.2. Beige ceramic insert.
Two flat wicks, each 27 mm and a transport wick.
Glass chimney:
Duplex chimney with oval bulge. Height 256 mm, Ø fitter 65 mm.
Marked: "Anchor" Brand - Fire Proof - Heat Resisting - Foreign + anchor.
Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade, colourless and frosted glass, cameo-etched flowers and butterflies, fluted top rim.
Height 165 mm, Ø fitter 102 and top rim 205 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners, integral part of the burner.
Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 48.7 cm, total height with chimney 78.2 cm.
Total weight 4080 g.
