L.102

A beautiful, but in retrospect quite problematic lamp from France. A finely modelled figure of the Greek moon goddess Selene sits on a cloud, behind her the large crescent moon appears. Probably made around 1900. When I held the lamp in my hands, I noticed that the metal font had only been inserted later, the lower end of the crescent moon was missing, two fingers of the figure had broken off, the base was cracked and the burner was defect!

The lamp is undoubtedly a "Mariage" lamp, which means that it was assembled by a handy man from several different lamp parts to form a lamp, so it is a self-made unique piece. The base is from the 1960-1970's; I saw the same base on some electric lamps from this period. The font on the lamp was a large metal tank that did not fit the lamp. I replaced this tank with a green glass font; found a matching, decorated metal undermount and a corresponding drip catcher. I completed the missing parts of the sculpture (the lower end of the crescent moon and the fingers of the figure) with self-made brass pieces and modelling clay.

I found a small British tulip shade very suitable for this lamp. Finally, I coloured the lamp with two different shades of gold. In the end, a slim, tall figural lamp with a beautiful and harmonious overall appearance was created.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Glass font, metal undermount and drip catcher, glass chimney, burner, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
Replacement font installed along with a new undermount and brass drip catcher. Two fingers and the end of crescent moon added and painted over. The sculpture re-bronzed.

Lamp body:
Base made of ornamental cast zinc, dark coloured, on three feet in the form of stylized dolphins, side length 14.5 cm. A solid brass connector is placed between base and sculpture.
Figure of the moon goddess Selene made of cast zinc. I added the lower end of the crescent moon and 2 middle fingers of the figure.
Glass font made of green pressed clear glass, Ø 123 mm.

Burner:
10’’’ Kosmos burner of Hugo Schneider (?), Leipzig.
Wick knob marked: Kosmos Brenner.
Flat wick 50 mm.

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

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade, frosted glass, dark green at the top, becoming lighter at the bottom, transparent ornamentation, frilled top rim.
Height 155 mm, Ø fitter 67 and top rim 107 mm.
70 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 43.1 cm, total height with chimney 71.5 cm.
Total weight 1520 g.