L.158

One of those rare, old, presumably German lamps that only appear sporadically on eBay. When I saw this lamp for sale on eBay, I didn't have to think twice. The lamp is possibly by Stobwasser or another renowned German manufacturer, but there is no clear sign of this. It is in a dignified, elegant historicism style, probably made around 1880.

The slender, tall vase shows a Greek man wearing a helmet and a Greek woman in two nicely framed medallions at the front and back. It is obviously a reminiscence of the archaeological finds of the time in ancient Hellenic sites. The rest of the decoration on the lamp can really be described as beautiful.

The burner that came with it is also interesting. It is a Saxonia burner by Fr. Hoffmann in Sebnitz (Ueber Land und Meer) with a single slot at the bottom for inserting the wick. It is illustrated in Goldberg 1893, page 56, and was later made into a flame disc burner. I could not separate the gallery and basket; they seem to be pressed together. The globe holder supplied is probably also original to the burner.

The ball shade from France is just right for this lamp, as it also has antique Greek portraits on it. However, the quality of the acid etching is not on the quality level of St. Louis or Baccarat.

I first painted the lamp completely with Faubourg Patina and then polished it. The result was very beautiful, but also a bit monotonous. Therefore, in a second step, I bronzed certain parts of the ornaments with Or classique. The lamp now exudes a very distinguished elegance.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass chimney and globe shade.

Cleaning and repairs:
Entire lamp painted with black Faubourg patina and partially bronzed (Or classique).

Lamp body:
Entire lamp body (incl. handles) made of cast zinc; parts firmly joined together, cannot be separated. Base Ø 146 mm.
Vase elaborately ornamented, with two portrait medallions (antique Greek heads) and two firmly attached handles. Vase Ø 132 mm, with handles 209 mm.
Drop-in font of clear glass, cemented under the cast zinc lid. Font lid Ø 123 mm.

Burner:
14’’’ Saxonia burner (Kosmos type) of Friedrich Hoffmann, Sebnitz (Germany).
Wick knob marked: Ueber Land und Meer - Patent.
Flat wick 63 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 260 mm, Ø fitter 53 mm.
Marked: Logo of Wensel, Soest.

Shade and shade holder:
Ball shade for Moderator lamps, colourless glass, frosted, deep-etched motifs (Greek heads), 2 brass rings. Without slip fitter.
Height 161 mm, Ø bottom opening 61 and bulge 175 mm.
85 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners; original globe holder of the burner.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 38.4 cm, total height with chimney 68.5 cm.
Total weight 3860 g.