L.155

A widely used majolica lamp with an elaborate cast zinc base. These majolica lamps with the painted little flowers were probably quite popular around 1900. Many German manufactories had such lamps in their programme. This lamp was probably also made around 1900.

The cast zinc base was in a completely desolate condition. The base had probably been stripped in caustic soda and then left as it was. The whole surface was thickly covered with a dirty grey oxide layer and thus extremely unsightly. I had to sand the surface thoroughly, smooth it with steel wool and then bronze it with brass wax. The current appearance is miles away from its former state (see photos below).

The painted Vesta shade is by the Viennese glass manufacturer Schreiber & Neffen, and it dates from the Art Nouveau period. To be able to use this beautiful shade, I had to choose a burner to which a 180 mm shade holder was soldered. The result is a medium-sized table lamp that burns very still and creates a beautiful lighting atmosphere.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
The base filed off at the bottom, straightened and bronzed with brass wax.

Lamp body:
Base and short column of ornamentally decorated cast zinc in relief, round, Ø 126 mm.
Ceramic vase with hand-painted flowers and fine golden lines. Glaze cracks. Vase finished with a wide brass ring at the top, Ø 122 mm.
Drop-in font of clear, colourless glass. Lid of hand-painted ceramic, matching the vase, Ø 115 mm.

Burner:
10’’’ Kosmos burner of Hugo Schneider, Leipzig, for the French market. Soldered with the shade holder.
Wick knob marked: HS Importe d'Allemagne. Iron plate insert.
Flat wick 50 mm.

Glass chimney:
10’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 250 mm, Ø fitter 39 mm.
Marked: Prima Kristall 10''' + crown.

Shade and shade holder:
Vesta shade by Schreiber & Neffen, white milk glass, Art Nouveau form, painted with pink blossoms on a green background, fluted top rim.
Height 140 mm, Ø fitter 177 and bulge 214 mm.
180 mm shade holder for 10’’’ burners; soldered to the burner.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 22.5 cm, total height with chimney 50.8 cm.
Total weight 1580 g.