L.228

A mighty, stately and very imposing Moderator oil lamp, probably made before 1870 and converted at some point into an electric lamp. The size of the lamp alone makes it an exceptional piece. I have converted this valuable lamp into a kerosene/paraffin lamp with an attached crystal font.

All the metal mounts are cast brass; very accurately cast. The base has three attachments with grimace faces screwed on. The two, unusually shaped handles are also screwed on. They have a hole in the middle from which loose hanging brass parts probably hung, which are now no longer present.

The green-glazed porcelain vase has painted scenes from the Roman period in two large cartouches at the front and back, which are in excellent condition. Inside the vase is the original oil reservoir made of sheet brass, from which the Moderator technique has been completely removed. On top of this reservoir sits a further elongated porcelain neck with painted decorations.

The lamp was electrified when I bought it at the auction. I disposed of the old French electric socket. I still had a free brass undermount and the matching counterpart with threaded rod that I could use here. I had to extend the threaded rod considerably with a glued brass tube to be able to screw it directly below the oil reservoir. I cemented a very elaborately cut crystal font into the metal undermount.

I completed the lamp with the Iris burner from E&G, the matching Iris chimney and a ball shade made of glass frosted inside. The lamp already had a stately size as a Moderator lamp. Now, with the additional crystal font, it is mighty big and dominant. For me, it is one of the highlights of my collection.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
See above.

Lamp body:
Base of ornamental cast brass, with 3 screwed on grimace faces, on 3 feet, side length 178 mm.
Green-glazed porcelain vase with two large painted genre scenes from Roman times and two ornamental brass handles. Vase finished on top with two ornamented brass rings, Ø 174 mm, with handles 213 mm. In the vase an additional container of galvanised sheet iron.
Replacement font of crystal glass cut all around, collar silver-plated, Ø 158 mm.
Original oil reservoir of sheet brass; top with long neck of painted porcelain, matching the vase, removable.

Burner:
20’’’ Iris burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin, for export, with gallery raiser.
Wick knob marked: Logo of Ehrich & Graetz for export.
Original flame disc for Iris burner, without brand.
Flat wick 91 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney with slim bulge. Height 275 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: Matador-Iris-Brenner 20''' + Hercules with globe.

Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade, colourless glass, frosted inside, without ornamentation, flat upper rim.
Height 187 mm, Ø fitter 102 and bulge 200 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 55.5 cm, total height with chimney 87.6 cm.
Total weight 6390 g.