L.349

An early R. Ditmar lamp from early historicism, dated approx. 1865-1870. Lamp body made of ornamental cast zinc, originally galvanically bronzed. Almost nothing was left of the bronze colour. This lamp is shown in Ditmar catalogues 1869 (plate 15, no. 5581) and 1897 (plate 9, no. 6730). It was probably a successful model for the Viennese manufactory.

I bought the lamp for two reasons:
a) From two other lamps from France I owned a Splendidus burner from R. Ditmar and a matching glass chimney marked “Splendidus”. They would go very well with the lamp.
b) A side ornament of the lamp was broken off. Repairing this part was a small, delightful challenge for me.

In order to complete the missing, broken off part of the ornament, I glued a 1 mm thick, appropriately cut piece of sheet brass with Stabilit Express. I attached a sufficient amount of Stabilit Express to this piece and then engraved the solidified mass true to the original.

The beautiful British tulip shade complements this lamp very nicely. However, I had to make a matching globe holder from two different globe holders in order to be able to attach the shade to the small burner. See: Repairs – Working on Metal Parts – Modelling of Missing Small Parts.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner with flame disc, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder (homemade from two pieces).

Cleaning and repairs:
The broken ornamental part on the base was supplemented with a piece of brass and reproduced true to the original with modelling clay. Zinc castings bronzed with a darker gold colour.

Lamp body:
Base and figural stem made of cast zinc, on three feet, Ø 145 mm. The base is marked: Logo of R. Ditmar Vienna. A kneeling boy as stem.
Clear glass font with stepped top and bottom, Ø 135 mm, not original of R. Ditmar. Font can be unscrewed.

Burner:
10’’’ Splendidus burner of R. Ditmar, Vienna, with original flame disc.
Wick knob marked: R. Ditmar Wien (Logo of the manufactory).
Flat wick 51 mm.

Glass chimney:
10’’’ Splendidus chimney (Matador type chimney). Height 222 mm, Ø fitter 37 mm. 
Marked: Cristal Supérieur - Splendidus 10’’’ - Importé de Saxe + picture of a sun face.

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade, frosted glass, cranberry coloured top rim, fading towards the bottom, transparent flower design, fluted top rim.
Height 147 mm, Ø fitter 87 and top rim 146 mm.
Homemade combination of a 70 mm globe holder for 10’’’ burners and an 85 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 29.5 cm, total height with chimney 56.8 cm.
Total weight 1360 g.