L.260

A majestic-looking majolica lamp by R. Ditmar with metal parts of iron, copper, zinc and brass. A lucky find at an antique dealer in Austria; however, in a very pitiful condition, extremely in need of restoration. The seller told me that the lamp came from an Austrian hunting lodge. It probably stood there for decades in a damp cellar waiting for its knightly saviour....

An almost identical lamp is shown in the 1897 catalogue (plate 33, lamp 8392). It is simpler in the foot area and somewhat smaller than this lamp. The ceramic vase, however, seems to be identical. My lamp has the number 8393.

The metal parts of the lamp consist of a variety of different metals (cast iron, wrought iron, sheet iron, solid copper, sheet copper, cast zinc, sheet zinc). The entire lamp including burner, shade and chimney, as shown in the photo, consists of at least 58 individual parts! The lamp flaunts an extremely elaborate construction in the so-called Gothic style with martial paintings (dragons, griffins, medieval knights' coats of arms and weapons, etc.) and with multi-part metal mounts reminiscent of the British Arts & Crafts style.

Iron parts were quite rusty; copper parts or copper-plated iron parts were also covered in green copper carbonate. I was able to thoroughly clean all the metals with very tedious sanding work. I also pre-painted all iron parts with Hammerite rust converter, then painted them with Revell paint (black matt 8) and polished them with felt discs. This paint treatment gives the metal parts a silky shine. The vase and the font lid, on the other hand, have survived the times with a shine. Fortunately, the burner was not damaged either.

The burner on the lamp is an 18’’’ Sonnenbrenner; with copper colour to match the lamp. Much later I was able to buy a Baccarat tulip shade with dragon motifs, which fits the lamp very nicely. A genuine 18’’’ Sonnenbrenner chimney from Ditmar (a generous gift from Dr Schöneborn) completed the lamp beautifully.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Pedestal and central column of cast iron, pedestal triangular, side length approx. 20 cm. Marked under the base: 8393/4. On the base three wrought iron arms, which together with an iron ring support the font. Copper leaf ornamentation.
Majolica vase multi-coloured painted with three dragon motifs in relief. In the vase an additional container, marked: R. Ditmar. Wien.
Drop-in font of clear glass. The lid of the font made of matching majolica with three coat of arms symbols. Lid Ø 158 mm.

Burner:
18’’’ Sonnenbrenner of R. Ditmar, Vienna, copper-plated. Burner thread 50.3 mm.
Wick knob marked: Sonnenbrenner R. Ditmar Wien. Black glass inlay.
Wick tube marked: Breveté S.G.D.G.
Original flame disc for Sonnenbrenner.
Round wick Ø 29 mm; original transport wick.

Glass chimney:
18’’’ Sonnenbrenner chimney (shoulder chimney). Height 308 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: 18 Sonnen Brenner R. Ditmar Wien.
 
Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade by Baccarat, colourless glass, frosted, deep-etched dragon motifs, scalloped cut top rim. Without slip fitter, 1 brass ring at the bottom.
Height 182 mm, Ø bottom opening 77 and bulge 179 mm.
85 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners; with soldered brass rods for better centring of the tulip shade.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 32.8 cm, total height with chimney 68.5 cm.
Total weight 4940 g.