L.207

An older lamp by Kaestner & Toebelmann (No. 252) from early historicism, dated approx. 1870-1875. Lamp body (ornamental base and sculptural column) made of cast zinc, originally gold-bronzed, of which only very sparse traces were left. This lamp is shown in the 1884 catalogue of Kaestner & Toebelmann.

When I saw this lamp on eBay, I was very impressed by the sculpture: an eagle is fighting a large snake, which it holds tightly in its claws. The heads of the snake and eagle are close together, threatening each other. The artist has masterfully succeeded in depicting the entire drama of the scene in an excellent manner. The eagle's wings reach up high; and the snake's body winds through the eagle wings up to the top and surrounds the part where the font is attached to. This is a masterful lamp creation by Kaestner & Toebelmann from Erfurt.

The cast zinc parts were completely worn and dull. I painted the lamp in three colours (black, copper and gold) according to my own taste and patinated it very carefully. Now the lamp shines in all its beauty.

A beautiful 3 inch tulip shade from the UK goes very well with this delicate lamp. I had to reduce the size of the 85 mm globe holder with soldered-in pieces of a brass tube so that the tulip shade sits firmly in it without being too loose.

Lamp Data

Added by me:
Burner, glass chimney, tulip shade and globe holder.

Cleaning and repairs:
I carefully painted the zinc parts in three colours (black, gold bronze and copper bronze) and then patinated them.

Lamp body:
Base made of decorative, partly reticulated cast zinc, on three feet, side length 16.5 cm. The base is marked with K.&T. 252. Base and sculptural stem are fixed as one piece.
Sculptural stem made of cast zinc displaying an eagle that holds a snake in its claws.
Clear glass font with a brass undermount, just inserted into the stem, Ø 142 mm. Font can be taken out.

Burner:
14’’’ Kosmos burner of Kaestner & Toebelmann, Erfurt, Germany.
Wick knob marked: Kaestner & Toebelmann, Erfurt, 14’’’. Black glass insert.
Flat wick 65 mm.

Glass chimney:
14’’’ Kosmos chimney. Height 257 mm, Ø fitter 53 mm.
Marked: Frafordu 1a Cristall garantiert - "FF" Glas Düsseldorf - Kosmos-Cyl. 14’’’.

Shade and shade holder:
British tulip shade, frosted colourless glass, transparent motifs. Fluted and frilled top rim.
Height 155 mm, Ø fitter 77 and top rim 190 mm.
85 mm globe holder for 14’’’/15’’’ burners.

Lamp dimensions:
Height up to collar 30.6 cm, total height with chimney 60.1 cm.
Total weight 2510 g.