L.275

A very rare ceramic lamp by the Hungarian ceramic manufacturer Ignác Fischer in a rather unusual calabash shape and with a magnificent base of very elaborately designed cast brass. Production probably around 1885-1895.

The lamp captivates with its stately design. The cast brass base in particular is the most elaborate and high quality in my entire collection. It must have come from a truly masterful casting workshop. But the font lid is unfortunately not original (the honest seller had already pointed this out). The lid is made of cast zinc with Art Nouveau ornamentation. The original lid was either made of suitably painted ceramic or of cast brass matching the base. Even more: instead of a usual glass font, a sawn-off half of a bottle was attached under the lid. I disposed of the improvised glass font and replaced it with a real font, detached from a majolica lamp cover.

The vase has a rather unusual shape: A round lower part is combined with a somewhat elongated and wider upper part; the transition is decorated with three small handles. In addition, there are a total of 6 perforated attachments. The painting (stylised flowers in strong tones) is also eye-catching. Unfortunately, some of the golden decoration has been rubbed off. The vase had a hairline crack at the top, which I had repaired by Mr Kühnel, so that it is now not visible from the outside. Marked under the vase: Fischer I. Budapest (stamp print in blue, underglaze) + Fischer J. Budapest (pressed, without colour) + 915 (pressed, without colour) + paper label with: Des.No.584 Fac.No.915.

The cast zinc font lid did not fit exactly into the vase; it was about 1 mm too wide. I finely sanded down the protrusion until the lid was an exact fit. I then primed the lid and bronzed it with brass wax.

I completed the lamp with a 20''' flame disc burner by Hugo Schneider (exported to France) and with the matching Matador chimney. The British ball shade fits well to the lamp.

Despite its incomplete condition (due to the font lid), this lamp is an exceptional and outstanding example in my collection.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
The lid of the font somewhat sanded to fit and re-bronzed. Matching replacement glass font cemented under the lid. Mr. Kühnel glued and painted over the hairline crack.

Lamp body:
Splendid base of ornamental, multiple openwork brass casting on 4 feet, 20 x 20 cm, Ø 272 mm.
Ceramic vase with 6 applied medallions in openwork technique as well as 3 small handles; polychrome painting of stylised flowers; golden decorative lines rubbed off in places. Ø 170 mm (without attachments). In the vase an additional container made of brass sheet. Vase finished with a decorated brass ring at the top.
Drop-in font of clear glass (replacement font). Font lid of bronzed cast zinc (not original), Ø 140 mm.

Burner:
20’’’ Hugo burner of Hugo Schneider, Leipzig, with gallery lifter, for the French trader Robert & Vilette, Paris & Bordeaux.
Wick knob marked: R.V. Lumière Importé de Saxe + Anker. Black glass insert.
Wick knob ring marked: 20''' Bec Lumière.
Flame disc of the type Hat-on-sieve-tube.
Flat wick 87 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney. Height 286 mm, Ø fitter 64 mm.
Marked: Cristal de Bohême - Importe de Tchecoslovaquie - 20''' Matador + sun in an oval frame.

Shade and shade holder:
British ball shade, colourless clear glass, partially frosted, flat etched floral motifs (repeating 5 times), optically vertically ribbed.
Height 182 mm, Ø fitter 102 and bulge 196 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 42.6 cm, total height with chimney 74.7 cm.
Total weight 5180 g.