L.087

An unusual pillar lamp from France whose metal mounts are made of cast iron instead of cast brass. This is extremely rare! Here, 6 individual parts made of black lacquered cast iron have been used. With the two alabaster parts this results in a rather complicated base/column combination.

The alabaster column is not round, but square cut and tapering towards the top. The lower alabaster plate is slightly greenish, while the rectangular column is grey-veined alabaster. The castings are each marked: G.W.2 and different numbers of dots according to their sequence; only the base is marked G.W.3. The castings were painted black (probably stove enamelled) and painted over with gold bronze in places. However, the painting was very clumsily applied by an amateur (probably a later "decoration" by an owner).

Since the supplied font did not fit either in size or style, I replaced it with a large, intricately cut, colourless crystal font by Baccarat. I also replaced the 14’’’ Kosmos burner that came with the lamp with a large Elite burner.

The uniform bronzing of the cast iron parts and with the magnificent font and burner nevertheless created a pillar lamp that is magnificent in every respect. A beautifully etched tulip shade from Great Britain then completed the lamp in style.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass font, burner, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
Alabaster parts carefully sanded and polished with brass polishing paste. All cast iron parts bronzed with brass wax (Laiton).

Lamp body:
Base of ornamental, multiple openwork cast iron, four-footed, 171 x 171 mm. On top a greenish, rectangular alabaster plate.
Column of grey, rectangular alabaster with metal mounts of cast iron in Art Nouveau style. Base and column altogether of 6 cast iron and 2 alabaster parts.
Baccarat font, colourless crystal glass with elaborate cut, Ø 162 mm, undermount thread 21 mm.

Burner:
20’’’ Elite burner of Carl Holy, Berlin, with gallery raiser and extinguisher, for the French market.
Wick knob marked: Odin Merveilleux (Logo of Carl Holy for France).
Original flame disc of Carl Holy.
Flat wick 86 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney with slim bulge. Height 270 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: Pr. Crystall garantirt - 20''' No 4 + Logo Carl Holy.

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade for gas lamps, colourless glass, frosted, deep-etched female heads and garlands, top rim fluted and frilled, lipped fitter.
Height 147 mm, Ø fitter 120 and top rim 222 mm.
Two-stage 125 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 48.0 cm, total height with chimney 79.0 cm.
Total weight 4090 g.