L.233

An American "Gone with the wind" lamp by Bristol Brass & Clock Co. Made around 1900. The lamp does not differ from other GWTW lamps typical of the period. The construction features compare well with the other GWTW lamps in my collection. I have replaced the missing original shade with a large Vianne shade that harmonises well with the basic colours of the vase.

I have removed the stubborn surface dirt from the vase in a lengthy polishing process with brass polish. Now it shines beautifully again. I had to work on the burner and the font lid partly with steel wool that I had dipped in acetone to remove the protective lacquer that had been applied.

The base, made of the usual cast iron, was completely tarnished in a dirty brown colour and had rust in several places. I had the impression at the beginning that the original bronzing had been completely rubbed off. Nevertheless, I bathed the foot in sodium hydroxide solution. The subsequent sanding revealed a beautifully preserved layer of brass, fully shiny except for the rust spots.

The burner has a lifting mechanism, but you have to hold the raised gallery by hand because it cannot be locked in the raised position. On the other hand, the wick holder is ingeniously easy to operate; you can attach a new wick without difficulty.

The three-armed shade holder without the outer hoop was a little too small for Vianne's Vesta shade. So I constructed a matching shade holder by sawing out a part of an ancient American hanging lamp set, removing the rust and painting it with brass paint. I soldered this hoop to the support arms of the original shade holder. Now this lamp shines and boasts in its old glory.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney, Vesta shade and shade holder (partly selfmade).

Cleaning and repairs:
Cleaning the lamp see above. For the shade holder, I removed layers of paint and rust from the iron ring and soldered it to the three-armed shade holder.

Lamp body:
Base of ornamental openwork cast iron, brass plated, some rusty spots, on 4 feet, 17.5 x 17.5 cm. Stamped under the foot: NB & IW and 1012.
Glass vase in conical shape, painted with large chrysanthemums (printed outlines and hand-coloured areas). Top with brass ring, round, Ø 175 mm. In the vase an additional container made of iron sheet, with several holes for inner air inlet.
Drop-in font of sheet brass (usual 5 inch font); with some stress cracks, dented at the bottom; with ornamental brass lid firmly welded. Lid Ø 140 mm. Extra oil filler.

Burner:
USA #2 center-draft burner of Bristol Brass & Clock Co., USA, with gallery lifting function.
Wick knob marked: No logo. Wick knob engages on external rack.
Original flame disc, marked: Bristol Brass & Clock Co. Made in U.S.A. + elk’s head.
Round wick Ø 40 mm.

Glass chimney:
USA #2 Vienna type chimney, new production. Height 256 mm, Ø fitter 67 mm. Without brand.

Shade and shade holder:
Vesta shade by Vianne, white milk glass honey-coloured outside and colourless overlay inside (3-layer glass), flat upper rim.
Height 154 mm, Ø fitter 249 and bulge 320 mm.
250 mm shade holder without outer hoop for USA #2 center-draft burners. Decorative hoop built by me from an old iron ring for American hanging lamps.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 38.4 cm, total height with chimney 68.1 cm.
Total weight 4200 g.