L.014

A fine German cast zinc lamp from the Art Nouveau period; probably made around 1900-1910. The ornamentation of the lamp body made of cyclamen motifs stands out pleasantly from the usual Historicism motifs.

The lamp body is made of a fine zinc casting that is copper-plated. The whole lamp is decorated with realistically depicted cyclamen motifs in relief, which remind me of playful floral Art Nouveau. This ornamentation is quite different from the sometimes exuberantly decorated cast zinc lamps. In its naturalistic design, the lamp also has a different aura than the strictly stylised Art Nouveau lamps from Germany and Austria-Hungary.

The lamp was actually fully equipped when I got it. However, some of the parts were so mismatched that they went individually to other lamps in the collection. I redesigned this lamp into a pleasing German lamp with a Reform Kosmos burner and a painted Vesta shade.

As always, the original bronzing had completely darkened and become unsightly. After my bronzing with a mixture of copper (Cuivre) and brass waxes (Laiton), the lamp now has a bright, friendly appearance.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, Vesta shade and shade holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
Zinc castings cleaned and bronzed with wax paint (copper and brass wax mixed).

Lamp body:
Base and vase of fine cast zinc, copper-plated, with cyclamen motifs in relief throughout in Art Nouveau style. Base and vase firmly together. Ø base 157 mm, vase 158 mm.
Drop-in font of clear glass, lid of copper-plated cast zinc, matching the vase. Font lid Ø 150 mm.

Burner:
14’’’ Reform Kosmos burner of Hugo Schneider, Leipzig, soldered to the shade holder.
Wick knob marked: Prima-Rund-Brenner.
Flat wick 68 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kalthoff chimney. Height 276 mm, Ø fitter 53 mm.
Marked: Kalthoff-Cylinder Gesetzlich geschützt 14''' + K. Lampen Cylinder Kalthoff in a star circle.

Shade and shade holder:
Vesta shade, white milk glass, Art Nouveau shape, painted with green garlands, upper rim fluted and flat rolled.
Height 181 mm, Ø fitter 233 and bulge 272 mm.
235 mm shade holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners, soldered to the burner.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 23.5 cm, total height with chimney 55.0 cm.
Total weight 2520 g.