L.338

A Wild & Wessel lamp (model no. 388, manufactured in 1865) with vase and font of faceted cut milk glass, with a cast metal base and metal contours.

This lamp is illustrated in the Wild & Wessel jubilee catalogue of 1894, plate 18, lamp no. 388. It was presented in the Paris World Exhibition of 1867. It belongs to a series of similar lamps by Wild & Wessel, which are elegant examples of classicism with their elongated, faceted cut milk glass parts and brass mounts.

Coincidentally, I received a 14-line Kosmos burner of very first version with a completely different lamp! This forerunner of the later Kosmos Normal burners was produced in the years 1865-1869 (see subchapter The Kosmos Burner in General Information). The burner was awarded a prize medal at the above-mentioned Paris World Exhibition, which was then proudly immortalised on the wick knob. This burner was, of course, immediately used with this lamp, as both dated from the same period.

I found a beautiful tulip shade from France to go perfectly with this precious, venerable lamp. The tulip shade has two alternating motifs of Historicism in 6 cartouches. It is carefully etched in relief. I assume it was made around 1875-1890. A problem arose because the tulip shade needed a globe holder of 70 mm; however, the old W&W burner had an original globe holder of 85 mm soldered to it. I really wanted to leave this original globe holder on. So I sawed off the inside of a new 70 mm globe holder and put it on the existing globe holder. A German Kosmos chimney of older date completed the lamp.

This lamp with its over 150 years of history is one of the highlights of my collection.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
No repairs necessary. The only damage was green copper carbonate formation in places on the base and metal mounts, which I carefully sanded off.

Lamp body:
Base of ornamental, openwork brass casting, on three feet, side length 21 cm.
Baluster-shaped vase of white milk glass, vertically elongated faceted cut. Top of the vase with ornamental metal contours of cast brass. Vase Ø 141 mm.
Font of white milk glass, upper part with sliced cut, Ø 143 mm. Typical W&W metal undermount with thread. Font can be removed.

Burner:
14’’’ Kosmos burner of Wild & Wessel, Berlin, from the years 1865-1869, with a single roller for wick drive, at that time still marketed under the name “Rund Flach Docht Brenner (= Round flat wick burner). Firmly soldered to the globe holder.
Wick knob marked: W&W Preismedaille Paris 1867 (= W&W Prize Medal Paris 1867). Wick knob back: Ornamental W&W cord.
Wick tube marked: Patent Breveté SGDG.
Flat wick 67 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 262 mm, Ø fitter 53 mm.
Marked: Kristall 14''' - Hans Kurray Max Maier Nachf. Eisenhandlung Meersburg + wheel with wings (logo of K&T).

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade, colourless glass, frosted and embossed, bud shape, cameo-etched motifs, upper rim scalloped cut.
Height 210 mm, Ø fitter 67 and bulge 161 mm.
85 mm globe holder for 14'''/15''' burners, original W&W, soldered to the burner. In addition, a 70 mm globe holder is used to ensure a stable hold for the tulip shade.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 37.5 cm, total height with chimney 67.5 cm.
Total weight 3070 g.