L.068

A rather strange, probably also quite old zinc cast lamp in the shape of antique Hellenic vases. I assume that it dates from the 1870s. The base and the metal parts were so worn that I wouldn't have bought the lamp if it wasn't for the beautiful glass font. The font, made of red stained or cased glass, is captivating because of the intricate hand-cut ornamentation on the wall. It is almost too large for the relatively small, delicate lamp; however, it fits exactly with the undermount.

The base looked like black painted and heavily rubbed plaster in the eBay photos. However, it is slate and was not as badly damaged as it looked. I sanded down the weathered surface, painted it matt with Revell black 8, rubbed it neatly with brass polish cream and then polished it to a high shine with felt wheel.

The base of the vase was broken off at the narrowest point, which probably happened during transport. The heavy stone base probably caused the break. I glued a brass tube inside the lower part of the vase and then glued the cast zinc base to this brass tube, taking scrupulous care to ensure that the lamp was exactly vertical. After the usual cleaning, I primed the cast zinc parts with shoe polish and bronzed them in two colours with copper and brass wax. The lamp has risen from the ruins!

To match the red glass font, I inserted a beautifully etched red tulip shade, which completed the lamp very nicely.

Lamp Data

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

Cleaning and repairs:
Glued the broken vase base with brass tube behind. The slate base sanded, painted black and polished. Vase and handles sanded, zinc castings primed with shoe polish and bronzed with copper and brass wax.

Lamp body:
Base of profiled turned slate, painted black, Ø 119 mm.
Small, flute-shaped vase with its own foot of cast zinc, with a meander frieze, with two screwed decorative handles of cast brass. Vase Ø 73 mm, with handles 139 mm.
Glass font, profiled stepped, red overlaid and ornamentally cut, can be screwed off.

Burner:
10’’’ Kosmos burner of Hugo Schneider (?), Leipzig.
Wick knob marked: Kosmos Brenner.
Flat wick 49 mm.

Glass chimney:
10’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 250 mm, Ø fitter 39 mm.
Marked: Spécial Recuit - Made in France 10''' + crown in garland.

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade for gas lamps, frosted glass, orange-red on top, almost colourless at the bottom, transparent deep-etched flowers, fluted top rim. Lipped fitter.
Height 130 mm, Ø fitter 65 and top rim 185 mm.
65 mm globe holder for 10’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 37.9 cm, total height with chimney 66.2 cm.
Total weight 2310 g.