L.192

An interesting zinc cast lamp, unusual in its form, with attractive, naturalistic decoration of the vase. The lamp came from France (also with a French burner). In its bulbous shape with the depicted nature scenes, the lamp does not fit the usual scheme of German or Austrian lamps. Interestingly, the way it is made with the handles and the elaborate zinc cast base is not typically French either. It was probably made around 1880-1890.

The interesting thing about the lamp is the decoration with nature scenes, depicting very naturalistically rendered birds sitting on vines nibbling grapes or looking out for fluttering butterflies. There are a total of 4 different birds and 6 butterflies depicted.

The challenge was to show off these scenes to advantage and in high contrast. The lamp was completely uniformly covered with galvanobronze. The bronze colour was even relatively well preserved. However, it was worn on the protruding elevations, such as grapes or bird wings. The overall appearance was also rather spotty, as the upper parts of the vase, the font lid and the base were rather rubbed and dull, whereas the lower parts still shone in their lustre. I then applied my tried and tested radical cure: I primed all the cast zinc parts with shoe polish and coloured all the relief parts with brass wax. I carefully brushed the smooth background areas with a mixture of Faubourg Patina, bronze wax and antique wax. The result is much nicer and more appealing than the original monotonous colouring.

The squat tulip shade is actually intended for gas lamps. Combined with a 5 inch globe holder from the USA it does its job here. I replaced the Kosmos burner that came with the lamp with a 20''' Matador burner, which suits the bulbous lamp better.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Base and vase made of very decorative zinc casting, soldered together. Square base on 4 feet, 14 x 14 cm, Ø 182 mm.
Vase with a beautiful surrounding frieze with 4 birds on vines and 6 butterflies; two soldered handles as mythical creatures, Ø 175 mm, with handles 234 mm.
Drop-in font of clear glass, with zinc cast lid. Lid Ø 130 mm.

Burner:
20’’’ Matador burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin, with gallery raiser.
Wick knob marked: Matador Brenner E&G Patent.
Wick knob ring marked: 20''' Matadorbrenner.
Original flame disc, marked: 20''' Matadorbrenner.
Flat wick 90 mm. Marked: DHR Kat20.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney. Height 285 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: Cristal Supérieur 20 + crown in garland.

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade for gas lamps, transparent glass, yellow on top, colourless on bottom, flat etched flowers, upper rim wavy. Without slip fitter. Glowing red under UV light.
Height 120 mm, Ø bottom opening 113 and top rim 197 mm.
125 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners, from USA.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 21.4 cm, total height with chimney 53.6 cm.
Total weight 3630 g.