L.005

My first and only hanging lamp made of cast zinc with charming bird motifs on the vase and on the supporting arms. Found in an antique shop in Paris. It is probably from Germany; made about 1890-1910.

Lamp was electrified as usual, and in this condition it hung in our kitchen for some years as the only source of light. Now it has been converted to regular kerosene/paraffin burning and adorns our bedroom.

The vase flaunts an elaborate decoration with baroque elements. Three oval cartouches contain nature scenes with birds. The cast-iron support arms are also decorated with a bird motif.

At the time completely clueless about restoration and bronzing of cast zinc lamps, I left such work to my friend Ara. He had also completely renewed the original electrification and changed it to 150 W halogen lamp. Years later, the lamp got a 20’’’ Matador burner with lifter and extinguisher. I think that hanging lamps should have a burner with a lifting and extinguishing mechanism to make it easier to light or extinguish the lamp in practice.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner with flame disc, smoke bell and glass chimney.

Cleaning and repairs:
Ara has cleaned metal parts, primed them dark and painted them with brass paint.

Lamp body:
Elaborately decorated vase of cast zinc with ornamental bird motifs, Ø 160 mm. Connected with 3 supporting arms of multiple openwork cast iron with bird motifs. Decorated knob at the bottom for height adjustment.
Drop-in font of clear glass, with lid of cast zinc matching the vase, inserted in the vase. Lid Ø 165 mm. Font collar of unpainted cast zinc.
Hanging device of decorated cast iron parts, pull chains, counter weight and porcelain smoke bell. Lamp variable in height. Lamp total Ø 44 cm.

Burner:
20’’’ Matador burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin, with gallery raiser and extinguisher.
Wick knob marked: Matador-Brenner E&G Patent.
Wick knob ring marked: 20''' Matadorbrenner.
Extinguisher wheel marked: Zum Löschen (= For extinguishing) + arrow.
Original flame disc, marked: Matador 20''' Importé d'Allemagne.
Flat wick 90 mm.

Glass chimney:
20’’’ Matador chimney. Height 280 mm, Ø fitter 63 mm.
Marked: Cristal Recuit 20 + Krone in Kreis.

Shade and shade holder:
Rochester shade, white milk glass with very light beige tint, flat upper rim.
Height 195 mm, Ø bottom 327 mm.
Ornate shade holder 330 mm of sheet brass, suspended in an ornate hanging device of cast iron with counterweight.

Lamp dimensions:
Total height 129 cm minimum, 163 cm maximum.
Total weight 9530 g.