L.287
A magnificent, very stately lamp from the Wilhelminian period. Made around 1875, this lamp as a combination of glass, cast zinc and cast brass parts exists in a somewhat simpler version made entirely of cast zinc. This simpler version is illustrated in the Zimmermann catalogue (London 1875). The English company Zimmermann had its production site in Hanau and also purchased many lamps or lamp parts from Hanau in Germany.
The lamp is very elaborate and of high quality construction. Up to the font collar, it consists of 37 individual parts. The accuracy of the castings, the high-quality cut of the vase, the shaping of the handles and the finely ribbed brass ring on the upper edge of the vase indicate that this lamp could very well be by Wild & Wessel. But the lamp bears absolutely no embossing, number or signature, so its provenance remains mysterious.
The cast zinc parts are painted with a blackish green colour and the recesses are patinated with light green colour. This created an effect of verdigris patina. However, the dark green paint on the zinc cast parts was so weathered that I carefully painted all these parts with the same tint (Revell black 8 matt + green 48 matt). I then polished the parts to a shine with a felt wheel.
The included Stübgen burner is high quality in itself, but not quite suitable for this large lamp. Therefore, a large Agni burner was used here. And to my great good fortune, I was also able to buy a marked Agni chimney on eBay FR.
An Art Nouveau shade in the shape of a beehive, which I was lucky enough to buy, completed this lamp. The shade is stylistically not very suitable, as it is clearly from the Art Nouveau period and therefore probably 20-30 years younger than the lamp, but its size and shape are very suitable.
This lamp is one of the highest quality glass lamps in my collection.
Lamp Daten
Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, glass shade and globe holder.
Cleaning and repairs:
All zinc castings painted with dark green paint (Revell 8 and 48 matt) and polished with felt wheel.
Lamp body:
Base of ornamental cast zinc, triangular on three lion paws, painted black-green and patinated light-green, 3 firmly attached decorative pieces of cast brass, side length 20 cm. Between base and vase 2 brass rings and 2 also dark green painted zinc cast connectors.
Vase of thick opaque black glass, faceted cut, with 2 screwed on handles of cast brass. Vase finial made of brass ring. Vase Ø 149 mm, with handles 193 mm.
Drop-in font made of the same black glass, Ø 130 mm.
Burner:
20’’’ Agni burner of Wild & Wessel, Berlin, with gallery raiser, made for Robert & Vilette, Paris and Bordeaux.
Wick knob marked: Anchor + R.V. Importé de Saxe (Logo of Robert & Vilette). Wick knob back: Ornamental W&W cord.
Wick tube marked: 20.
Original Agni flame disc, marked: Agni 20.
Flat wick 92 mm.
Glass chimney:
20’’’ Agni chimney (pinch/ball type chimney). Height 295 mm, Ø fitter 62 mm.
Marked: Agni - A.N. Déposé 20''' - Cristal Recuit - Importé de Saxe.
Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade, beehive shape, colourless glass, frosted, cameo-etched ornamentation in Art Nouveau style.
Height 190 mm, Ø fitter 100 and bulge 192 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.
Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 41.9 cm, total height with chimney 77.3 cm.
Total weight 4640 g.
