L.196

An almost authentically preserved zinc cast lamp by R. Ditmar, presumably from 1905-1908. It is illustrated in both the 1908 catalogue and the 1926 catalogue. This lamp is a souvenir from a trip to Vienna. We discovered it there in a completely newly opened antique shop and were allowed to celebrate the lamp purchase with champagne on the spot.

When I cleaned the lamp at home, I noticed that the original galvanic bronzing is almost completely preserved; only on the font lid there are stronger abrasions. Another positive surprise is the fact that the Vesta shade is also shown in the Schreiber & Neffen catalogue of 1908. This means that the above dating of the lamp is on relatively safe ground.

The mounted burner is an 11’’’ flat burner by Ditmar, fitted with an adapter to the 39.5 mm collar of the font. Later, I replaced the supplied Vienna chimney with a marked one.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney.

Cleaning and repairs:
Cleaned only with the finest steel wool; original bronzing is still on it.

Lamp body:
Base and vase of cast zinc with floral ornamentation in relief in Art Nouveau style. Base Ø 134 mm, vase at the rim 122 mm. Original galvanic bronzing almost completely preserved.
Drop-in font of clear glass. Lid of bronzed zinc casting with identical decoration, lid Ø 116 mm.

Burner:
11’’’ Vienna flat burner of R. Ditmar, Vienna.
Wick knob marked: Ditmar Austrian Make. Wick knob back: Fabriqué en Autriche.
Flat wick 25 mm.

Glass chimney:
11’’’ Vienna chimney. Height 240 mm, Ø fitter 51 mm.
Marked: Mayer Glashandlung Traunstein 11'''.

Shade and shade holder:
Vesta shade by Schreiber & Neffen, white milk glass overlaid in light green, Art Nouveau shape, fluted top rim.
Height 141 mm, Ø fitter 180 and bulge 217 mm.
180 mm shade holder for 11’’’ flat burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 23.0 cm, total height with chimney 49.1 cm.
Total weight 1800 g.