L.095

An elaborately constructed cast zinc lamp by R. Ditmar that is not listed in the 1897 catalogue. Due to the burner, which was patented in 1877, the lamp can be roughly dated around 1880. The lamp has an elaborate construction and was probably taken out of the range later.

The lamp came in a fully cleaned and polished condition; however, only bare cast zinc surface was visible. I could only see very faded remnants of former bronzing underneath the cast zinc base. No traces were visible on other zinc castings. Nevertheless, I bronzed the lamp with copper wax according to my own taste, as I cannot imagine that an old cast zinc lamp was marketed entirely without bronzing. I painted the bare sheet metal parts and the upper end of the vase with black patina paint and polished them with felt discs.

The base consists of profiled turned slate, painted black. On top comes an elaborately constructed vase, consisting of 3 zinc cast elements, 2 smooth sheet metal parts (probably zinc sheet), one ring of cast zinc and 2 handles. The eclectic style of Historicism is well revealed: sculptured lion heads are depicted on the column and swans on the central frieze; the handles consist of human faces.

The burner is a very rare Kosmos burner with the patent date of 1877. The bottom wick insertion is rectangular instead of round. It is marked "Ditmar Wiener-Brenner" on the wick tube.

The tulip shade is probably a more recent production from old moulds of the S. Reich glassworks.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney.

Cleaning and repairs:
Reliefed zinc castings bronzed with copper bronze; the smooth parts made of zinc sheet and zinc casting lacquered and polished with Faubourg patina.

Lamp body:
Base of profiled turned, black lacquered slate, Ø 152 mm.
Column and vase elaborately constructed from several parts in zinc casting and sheet zinc. In the vase an additional container of brass-plated sheet iron, marked: R. Ditmar, Wien. Vase Ø 135 mm, with handles 191 mm.
Drop-in font of clear glass, cemented under the cast zinc lid. Font lid Ø 111 mm. Font collar with Ditmar decoration.

Burner:
14’’’ Wiener-Brenner (Kosmos type burner) of R. Ditmar, Vienna, nickel-plated.
Wick knob marked: R. Ditmar Wien (logo of R. Ditmar).
Wick tube marked: Ditmar Wiener-Brenner, Pat. 1877.
Flat wick 67 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 256 mm, Ø fitter 53 mm.
Marked: Wilhelm Blanck - Eldens i.M. - Crystall 14'''.

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade, colourless glass, frosted, embossed, flat upper rim. Probably a new production from an old mould of the S. Reich glassworks, perhaps from Poland or the Czech Republic.
Height 207 mm, Ø fitter 91 and bulge 173 mm.
95 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners; original of R. Ditmar.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 38.2 cm, total height with chimney 66.6 cm.
Total weight 5020 g.