L.011

This zinc cast lamp in the classic historicism style flaunts an elaborately decorated vase and a no less opulently decorated base. Presumably from German production around 1880-1890, the lamp can be described as very European in appearance. On the other hand, it is very interesting that I have seen 4 different American pillar lamps with the same base so far!

The lamp was photographed with flash for the eBay photos and appeared nice and bright. In reality, however, it had darkened considerably and gave a darker, gloomy impression. It is one of my very early eBay purchases. At the time, I had no idea how to lighten a darkened (or even rubbed off) bronze colour. It was only many years later, after I had developed my own method of bronzing, that I completely re-bronzed this lamp. As a result, the lamp is many times brighter. All the sculptured beauty now really comes into its own.

The burner bears the designation Kosmos-Brenner. I could not find the logo in the databases I know. However, it is clear from the stamp on the wick tube that it is a Wild & Wessel burner. The upper basket design is also typical for W&W.

The globe holder supplied was too small for the glass globe; I fitted a new 95 mm globe holder accordingly. I replaced the Matador chimney supplied with a Kosmos chimney. The 4-cornered base was not absolutely flat; I had to sand down one foot almost 1.5 mm. After years of sleeping beauty, the lamp now presents itself in all its magnificent beauty.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
Lamp completely re-bronzed with brass wax (Laiton).

Lamp body:
Base and vase made of very elaborate zinc casting in the historicism style, galvanic bronze colour preserved, but strongly darkened. Base and vase firmly together. Base square, on 4 feet, 17 x 17 cm.
Vase round, Ø 161 mm, with decorated heads 190 mm.
Drop-in font of clear glass, with lid of cast zinc, bronze paint completely rubbed off, Ø 154 mm.

Burner:
14’’’ Kosmos burner of Wild & Wessel, Berlin, probably for trader.
Wick knob marked: Kosmos-Brenner.
Wick tube marked: Patent Breveté SGDG.
Flat wick 66 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 260 mm, Ø fitter 52 mm.
Marked: Cristal Daco 14''' + crown.

Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade, colourless glass, frosted on top, transparent on bottom with flat etched motifs.
Height 165 mm, Ø fitter 91 and bulge 175 mm.
95 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 31.5 cm, total height with chimney 61.0 cm.
Total weight 3470 g.