L.140

An old French Moderator lamp from about 1850-60 with a Diamant burner by Schwintzer & Gräff. Although the lamp was completely dirty and encrusted, and the lower part (made of sheet iron) quite rusty, the almost fully plastic leaf ornamentation very much tempted me to bring this lamp to life according to all the rules of art. The Diamant burner from S&G was without a flame disc, but I knew its dimensions. So I was able to have the flame disc turned from brass.

The upper part made of sheet brass has three times the same motif of a strongly sculptured leaf with three beetles on it. The transition from the narrow upper part to the wider lower part is made of stepped zinc casting. The lower part is made of sheet iron. On this lower part is an oval plaque: "Modérateur Perfectionné - Brevet d'Invention - S.G.D.G. - B.M. - Bec Se Dévissant".

After thoroughly cleaning all metal surfaces, I painted the background with a darker aubergine colour. I highlighted the beetles and fruits with copper bronze. I painted the cast zinc shoulder with brass paint and the bottom part made of sheet iron with black patina paint.

Finally, I completed the lamp with a real 14’’’ Diamant* chimney and an Art Nouveau tulip shade. The lamp has literally risen from the ruins and now shines like new.


*) Note: The line size of the Diamant burners and their chimneys does not correspond to the size specification of comparable burners and chimneys.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Flame disc, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
I had the missing flame disc turned to original dimensions. Lamp completely cleaned and partially bronzed in copper colour.

Lamp body:
Top part of the lamp made of very sculptured brass sheet showing three times the motif of a large leaf with three beetles on it. Ø ca. 12 cm. The shoulder part is made of stepped zinc casting. The lower, wider part is made of sheet iron with a plaque. Ø 134 mm. The bottom has been closed with a soldered sheet of iron.
Font made of glass, hidden in the vase. Font lid of ornamentally embossed sheet brass. Font not removable. Lid Ø 110 mm.

Burner:
14’’’ Diamant burner of Schwintzer & Gräff, Berlin.
Wick knob marked: Pat. Diamant Nr.10621. Black glass inlay.
Wick tube marked: S&G Pat.10621.
Replica flame disc with small disc on pin.
12 full wicks each Ø 5 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ shoulder chimney. Height 305 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: Diamant-Cylinder 14'''.

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade, greenish glass, darker at the top, frosted, transparent motifs, top rim fluted.
Height 175 mm, Ø fitter 84 and top rim 160 mm.
85 mm globe shade holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 21.5 cm, total height with chimney 55.3 cm.
Total weight 2000 g.