L.300

An interesting German cast iron lamp by C.H. Stobwasser, Berlin. This lamp stands out from the rest of the figurative sculptural lamps in terms of both material and subject matter. All cast metal parts are made of cast iron. The lamp was probably made around 1865-1870. Later, cast zinc was used rather than cast iron in lamp manufacture.

A three-dimensional, decidedly maritime scene is depicted, which is certainly very rare with kerosene/paraffin lamps. On the round, unadorned base is a stylized launch, which is very small in size and floats on a moving sea full of marine animals. The launch has an anchor and a rudder. The bow is decorated with a face (sea god?). The mast of the launch is attached to the railing with strong ropes made of iron wires. Two additional metal parts decorated with marine animals are attached to the mast.

The undoubtedly most interesting part of the lamp consists of two very realistically reproduced sailors who stand in the launch leaning against the mast. On the hat of a sailor one can read: K.M. (probably for “Königliche Marine” = Royal Navy). One can well imagine that this lamp once shone in a noble house or office in a northern German city with a harbour.

The assignment to Stobwasser was made on the basis of a second copy of this lamp, which is in the collection of a friend. His lamp has an original Stobwasser font with the very characteristic Stobwasser brass undermount. The glass font of my lamp is certainly an addition without the Stobwasser undermount.

The glass tulip shade from Great Britain is from a later period than the lamp, but I think it goes quite well with the lamp. The basket was missing on the rare Matador burner with the extinguisher, which I fortunately was able to add.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner basket, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
I derusted the cast iron parts and treated them with rust converter. I painted these parts with Patine Faubourg (French black patina colour containing graphite) and then polished them.

Lamp body:
Base made of round, profiled cast iron, Ø 186 mm.
The rest of the lamp body consists of several cast iron parts screwed together in the form of a strongly stylized launch in which two naval sailors are standing.
Font made of finely cut, colourless crystal glass, Ø 160 mm. Brass undermount (not originally from Stobwasser) firmly glued to the lamp column; font cannot be removed.

Burner:
20’’’ Matador burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin, with flame extinguisher.
Wick knob marked: 20’’’ Matador - Ehrich & Graetz - Berlin.
Burner marked: 20’’’ Matadorbrenner.
Original flame disc with hat on sieve tube, without a mark.
Flat wick 90 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney. Height 280 mm, Ø fitter 65 mm.
Marked: Cristal Lorrain - G.L.F. - Matador 20’’’ + Coat of arms of Lorraine in a garland.

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade, frosted colourless glass, plain-etched transparent motifs, fluted top rim.
Height 163 mm, Ø fitter 100 and top rim 200 mm.
100 mm shade holder for 20’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height 45.4 cm up to collar, total height 77.3 cm with chimney.
Total weight 5670 g.