L.200
This is an extraordinary sculptural lamp from France that does not have a human figure but a plant as a sculpture. In this way it is likely to be a rather rare variety in the large group of sculptural lamps. This lamp is shown in the catalogue of Societé Industrielle d’Articles d‘Éclairage (in Paris) and dated around 1900.
The cast zinc column is shaped like a tulip plant: the roots are indicated at the very bottom above the wooden base and the bulb of the tulip is placed above it. The plant grows out of the bulb with leaves and flowers. The stems of the tulip are bent down just below the font, so that the tulip flowers lean against the actual stem again. The plant has a naturalistic patina in shades of green, while the colour of the flowers tends to change towards purple. The sculpture is signed E. Fuchs on the onion. Emil Fuchs (1866 - 1929) was a celebrated painter and sculptor from Austria around 1900, who was in great demand in England and the USA (source: Wikipedia).
Iris flowers are painted in lively colours on the glass font. The metal undermount of the font has been patinated in the same shade of green so that it is an original part of the lamp.
The large tulip shade from Cristallerie de Pantin with the hand-painted iris flowers goes wonderfully with this lamp. It takes up the play of colours and the texture of the font very well.
The original wooden base was unfortunately quite damaged. Since it looked relatively small compared to the tulip shade that I had chosen for the lamp, I added an additional, wider base plate to it. The result is a visually wide, generous base that is now in good balance with the font and the shade.
Lamp Data
Added by me:
Burner with flame disc, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.
Cleaning and repairs:
Wooden base supplemented with additional base wood, stained mahogany and varnished.
Lamp body:
Base made of stepped turned wood, supplemented with additional base wood and stained mahogany, Ø 162 mm.
Lamp body made of mostly green patinated cast zinc, in the form of a tulip plant, signed with E. Fuchs (= Emil Fuchs, Austrian artist, 1866-1929).
Font made of patterned frosted glass, primed light green above, light red below and painted with iris flowers, Ø 141 mm. Metal undermount with green patina. The font can be unscrewed.
Burner:
15’’’ Matador burner of Ehrich & Graetz, Berlin.
Wick knob marked: Matador 15’’’ (black glass insert).
Burner marked: 15’’’ Matador.
Original flame disc with hat on sieve tube, marked: 15’’’ Matador Importé d'Allemagne.
Flat wick 73 mm.
Glass chimney:
15’’’ Matador chimney. Height 264 mm, Ø fitter 52 mm.
Marked: Schutz-Marke - Logo E&G - 15’’’ Matador - 16’’’ Salvator - Prima Boheems Glas.
Shade and shade holder:
French tulip shade by Cristallerie de Pantin (unsigned), colourless glass, structure-etched over the entire surface, polychrome painted iris, fluted and golden painted top rim. Handwritten on the fitter: 364.
Height 156 mm, Ø fitter 104 and top rim 193 mm.
100 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.
Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 38.2 cm, total height with chimney 69.3 cm.
Total weight 2730 g.
