L.321
A very eye-catching and extraordinary sculptural lamp made of brightly painted ceramic from the Bohemian manufacturer Wilhelm Schiller & Sohn in Bodenbach (today a district of the northern Czech city of Dĕčin). This ceramic factory was extremely active around 1890-1900 and shaped this excessive style. From the model number 11406 one can deduce that this ceramic was made in the later period of manufacture.
The lamp probably consists partly of the lower part of a large, magnificent vase or bowl by Wilhelm Schiller & Sohn. I found a picture of the original, complete vase on the internet (from an auction in 2013; see last photo, left). Now one can speculate: Either the upper part of the vase broke and a lamp was constructed with the lower, undamaged part (then as a unique specimen), or the upper part of the bowl was not even attached, and the remaining base parts from the factory were used for the production of lamps that were regularly marketed. I don't know if we can ever clear this up...
The lamp's sculpture consists of a stylized mythical creature (dragon bird? Griffin?), which is placed in a magnificent framework. The whole ceramic is shaped excessively and imaginatively and is really colourfully painted!
The tulip shade is newly manufactured in Poland from old casting moulds of the former S. Reich glassworks (Vienna). It is printed with cherub motifs, then hand-painted and supplemented with gold decoration. The result is an extremely interesting, rare lamp that may even have the character of a unique piece if it emerged from a broken bowl.
Lamp Data
Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.
Cleaning and repairs:
Mr. Kühnel has restored small flakes of the ceramic glaze.
Lamp body:
The lamp body (base and column part) is actually the lower part of a two-part ceramic ostentatious vase from Wilhelm Schiller & Sohn in Bohemia. A stylized griffin forms the column. Base 18.8 x 23.9 cm, marked below: W.S. & S. 11406 and painter's signature.
Font made of light green clear glass, ornamentally embossed, Ø 163 mm. Font plastered in ceramic neck, not removable.
Burner:
20’’’ Hugo burner of Hugo Schneider, Leipzig.
Wick knob marked: HS + gear with wings. Black glass insert.
Burner marked: H.S. 20’’’.
Original flame disc with hat on sieve tube.
Flat wick 85 mm.
Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney with slim bulge. Height 273 mm, Ø fitter 64 mm.
Marked: Ferd. Landenberger Flaschnerei Wollmatingen - Matador 20’’’.
Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade, light pink glass, frosted and embossed, printed and painted angels, gold-framed ornamentation, scalloped cut top rim. New production from an old casting mould of former S. Reich glassworks.
Height 195 mm, Ø fitter 92 and bulge 172 mm.
95 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.
Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 38.5 cm, total height with chimney 69.5 cm.
Total weight 2590 g.
