L.182
An extraordinary zinc cast lamp by R. Ditmar that differs from the other lamps both in colouring and construction. Judging by the model number, it was designed around 1890. But it is not shown in the 1897 catalogue.
When I found it in an antique market, it was very dilapidated. The surface was quite weathered and the bronzing was very dark. Only the unusual shape with three griffins supporting the large vase had persuaded me to buy it. My joy was all the greater when I discovered that it was by R. Ditmar.
The lamp consists of several parts: On a triangular stone pedestal made of slate stand three large griffins that hold the short column section. The body of the lamp consists of 5 cast zinc parts with elaborate ornamental decoration. On the vase are three lion heads as decorative elements. The number 8086 (or 9808?) is stamped vertically three times inside the vase. The font is not made of glass as usual, but of sheet iron; it could be a subsequently constructed font for the broken original font.
The bronze colour of the griffins and the lion heads was completely darkened and dull. I repainted them with brass and copper bronze and then patinated them with black shoe polish. The rest of the cast zinc lamp was originally painted black. But here, too, most of the paint had flaked off or dulled. I painted all the parts with matt black paint and polished the raised areas to a shine with felt discs. I completely sanded off the rather damaged black paint on the slate and then stained and polished it with furniture wax to which I had added carbon black. Now the lamp looks like new.
The lamp got a 15’’’ Sonnenbrenner. The etched ball shade by R. Ditmar is a very lucky chance find on eBay Germany, and is pictured several times in the 1897 catalogue. It just goes over the gallery of the Sonnenbrenner. Only the chimney is new: I was able to purchase a Sonnenbrenner chimney, newly produced according to right dimensions in the USA.
Lamp Data
Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney and ball shade.
Cleaning and repairs:
See above.
Lamp body:
Base made of triangular slate, side length 20 cm. Mounted on it are 3 bronze coloured griffins which hold the lamp.
Lamp body of multi-piece zinc casting in elaborate relief, lacquered black. Inside stamped: 8086 or 9808. 3 bronzed lion heads on the vase. Vase Ø 148 mm. In the vase an additional container of galvanised sheet iron, marked: R. Ditmar Wien.
Drop-in font made of galvanised sheet iron. Font lid of cast zinc with matching ornamentation and colour to the lamp, Ø 118 mm.
Burner:
15’’’ Sonnenbrenner of R. Ditmar, Vienna.
Wick knob marked: Sonnenbrenner R. Ditmar Wien.
Original flame disc Sonnenbrenner.
Original round wick Ø 24 mm; original transport wick.
Glass chimney:
15’’’ shoulder chimney for Sonnenbrenner. Height 285 mm, fitter 53 mm. Without brand.
New production made of borosilicate glass (purchased from Miles Stair, USA).
Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade by R. Ditmar, colourless glass, frosted, cameo-etched ornamentation. Without slip fitter. Shown at Ditmar cat. 1897.
Height 173 mm, Ø bottom opening 55 and bulge 184 mm.
Globe holder not necessary.
Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 37.6 cm, total height with chimney 70.9 cm.
Total weight 5000 g.
