L.324

An imposing, beautifully decorated, high quality majolica lamp by R. Ditmar with a pompous cast zinc base and playfully designed cast brass handles. The lamp is illustrated in the Ditmar catalogue of 1897 (lamp 6854), and also in the Krosno Museum catalogue. The same lamp exists in another version with a completely blue painted ceramic vase. The metal mounts are then nickel-plated to match the blue colour.

The majolica vase had two long cracks at the front, which quite disturbed the appearance of the lamp. I had thought that Mr Kühnel would be able to repair and paint over these simple cracks so well that you wouldn't notice them afterwards. Unfortunately, this time he did not succeed convincingly in hitting the right colour shade exactly. Even the high gloss of the ceramic glaze revealed the overpainted parts. Therefore, I removed his restoration with a heavy heart. In any case, the cracks are properly glued. I first sanded down and cleaned the zinc cast base, then bronzed it with gold wax (Laiton).

Of course, I immediately replaced the supplied burner with a 15’’’ Sonnenbrenner by Ditmar, which I think fits this imposing lamp much better. I also used a new Sonnenbrenner chimney from Miles Stair.

In the catalogue, the lamp is shown with a ball shade. However, I have fitted a beautifully etched, spherical tulip shade from France here.

Despite the cracks in the vase, this lamp is one of the valuable Ditmar lamps in my collection.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
Cast zinc base bronzed with brass wax (Laiton). Mr. Kühnel glued the cracks.

Lamp body:
Base of ornamental, multiple openwork zinc casting, formerly bronzed, now rubbed off. Base 14.5 x 14.5 cm. Between vase and base a ring-shaped transitional piece of cast zinc.
Vase made of elaborately painted ceramic, stork motif in front, flowers on the back. Front part with cracks. Two handles of cast brass. Vase Ø 133 mm, with handles 197 mm. Vase end with a decorated ring of cast zinc. In the vase an additional container made of brass sheet, marked: R. Ditmar Wien.
Drop-in font of clear glass, cemented under majolica lid. Lid Ø 115 mm.

Burner:
15’’’ Sonnenbrenner of R. Ditmar, Vienna.
Wick knob marked: Sonnenbrenner R. Ditmar Wien. Black glass inlay.
Wick tube marked: Breveté S.G.D.G.
Original flame disc of Sonnenbrenner.
Round wick Ø 24 mm; original transport wick.

Glass chimney:
15’’’ shoulder chimney for Sonnenbrenner. Height 285 mm, Ø fitter 52 mm. Without brand.
New production made of borosilicate glass by Miles Stair in the USA.

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade, colourless glass, frosted, cameo-etched floral motifs, top rim curved 6-fold inwards.
Height 178 mm, Ø fitter 70 and bulge 167 mm.
70 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 31.5 cm, total height with chimney 64.5 cm.
Total weight 3990 g.