L.223

A very unusual lamp, rarely found in this form, made of painted glass with cast zinc contours. Probably made around 1900 or a little later. The playful shape of the lamp is rather typically French (the burner supplied was also a French burner), but under the vase there is an old paper label on which, among other things, the words "list each xx 15.00" can be read. Was this lamp probably of English origin?

The unusual thing about the lamp is first of all its elongated baluster shape and the fine painting with a totally rare motif: it shows a mermaid with a lobster and a fish in floods. On the back of the vase, a large fish (also in water) is painted. There are also several birds on the long neck of the vase. The milk glass has elevations at the bottom suggesting waves, the tops of which are painted gold.

This charming vase stands on a small foot made of cast zinc in the shape of 4 dolphins. The long, ornamented handles are also made of cast zinc. These metal parts are very well bronzed and the bronze colour is amazingly well preserved.

The light blue glass font does not harmonise well with the predominantly earthy green tones of the vase; however, it symbolises the element of water in this lamp and is therefore again well placed. The collar was quite dented and had to be replaced. Later, I bought a narrow, brightly painted tulip shade, which I think harmonises with the narrow-long lamp.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Font collar, burner, glass chimney and tulip shade.

Cleaning and repairs:
Replaced the dented collar with another.

Lamp body:
Bronzed zinc cast base in the shape of 4 dolphin heads, square, 11.5 x 11.5 cm.
Milk glass vase, baluster-shaped, Ø 170 mm, carefully hand-painted (mermaid, lobster, fish, birds) and gilded on the elevations. On the vase two elongated, baroque shaped handles, also of bronzed zinc casting.
Font of light blue glass, transparent, slightly vertically ribbed (barely perceptible), Ø 147 mm. The font is removable. Dented collar replaced.

Burner:
14’’’ Kosmos burner of Kästner & Töbelmann, Erfurt, for J.C.Giessing, Nuremberg.
Wick knob marked: Logo of J.C.Giessing.
Flat wick 65 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 250 mm, Ø fitter 52 mm.
Marked: Cristal Supérieur 14''' + crown in garland.

Shade and shade holder:
Tulip shade, colourless glass in the shape of a calyx, frosted, slightly raised, transparent, multi-coloured painted flowers, the upper rim curved inwards several times.
Height 190 mm, Ø fitter 65 and bulge above 120 mm.
Globe holder not necessary.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 49.1 cm, total height with chimney 78.5 cm.
Total weight 2710 g.