L.084

An octagonal zinc cast lamp by R. Ditmar with exuberant floral decoration in the Neo-Renaissance style. Production probably around 1890. In the 1897 catalogue there is an almost identical lamp whose shape resembles my lamp (lamp 8629). However, the decoration of the zinc casting is slightly different. In addition, lamp no. 8629 has a ribbed, narrow intermediate ring between the base and the vase, which is missing from my lamp. There are also at least 2 other versions of this lamp in identical, octagonal form, but with a slightly different decorative pattern on the vase and the base.

The lamp does not have the usual additional container inside the vase, which is normally used to connect the base to the vase. In my lamp, the base and the vase are from the beginning firmly connected. Even under a magnifying glass, I could not tell if the base and the vase were two separate castings. The base is probably the original base designed for this lamp, because it has a bead ring finish at the top, which also appears on the top of the vase with the same ornamentation. On other versions with the intermediate ring, the bases do not have this bead ring.

The lamp was completely bare without a trace of the original bronzing when I got it. I primed it according to my usual method with shoe polish and bronzed it with quite dark gold wax (Or Florentine), as it was also stated to be a "Rothbronce" (= red bronze) in the catalogue.

Both the upper rim of the vase and the font lid were dented. By carefully tapping with a hammer, I pretty much straightened out the dented areas. I was able to replace the missing glass font with a replacement font. I exchanged the supplied burner for a Saturn burner from Ditmar, so that the lamp got a real Ditmar burner. A fine British tulip shade from Veritas completed the lamp.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Base and vase made of a very ornamental zinc casting in Neo-Renaissance style. Base on 4 feet, Ø 173 mm.
Vase irregularly octagonal with 4 wider and 4 narrower sides, Ø 158 mm. Top rim of the vase dented.
Replacement font, clear glass, cemented under the zinc cast lid. Lid Ø 156 mm.

Burner:
20’’’ Saturn burner of R. Ditmar, Vienna.
Wick knob marked: R. Ditmar Wien (logo of R. Ditmar).
Original flame disc, marked: Saturn 20’’’.
Flat wick 95 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney with slim bulge. Height 270 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: Matador 20''' - Ferd. Landenberger Flaschnerei Wollmatingen.

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade by Veritas, colourless glass, partly frosted, partly transparent motifs, fluted top rim.
Height 164 mm, Ø fitter 102 and top rim 210 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 24.2 cm, total height with chimney 54.5 cm.
Total weight 2940 g.