Brass lamps with marble base. Victorian ?

Discussion in 'Antique Discussion' started by tempusfugit, Dec 16, 2020.

  1. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    IMG_1898[1].JPG IMG_1901[1].JPG IMG_1899[1].JPG IMG_1903[1].JPG Hello everyone, I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

    I am trying to identify a pair of lamps I picked up years ago and apart from the fact I think they may be Victorian or Edwardian I have never been able to find out anything more. A internet search pulls many images but none quite the same.

    They sit on a marble base then a brass column and then a very fancy scrolled brass top. I have seen others with a similar brass top but they all seem to be one piece or lump where as this lamp has gaps / space between the scrolls if that makes any sense.

    The lamp stands at 49.5 cm high and 10 cm across at the base of the marble.

    I can see a fitting where I believe it was originally wired.

    The lamp also has a metal shade that I haven't seen before, brass coloured on the inside and a cream on the outside. I am not sure if these where added later but why metal ?

    I have added some photo's for your viewing. If anyone could help it would be much appreciated. Do they have a name ? as in a style ? are there any key words I should be looking for when searching ?

    Thanks in advance
    Kindest regards
    TF
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 16, 2020
  2. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    They wouldn't have started out as lamps but they might have started out as candlesticks. To aid you in your description... The column's capital design is that of the composite order which combines the Ionic and Corinthian orders.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composite_order

    Debora

    220px-Fotothek_df_tg_0001041_Architektur_^_Säule_^_komposite_Ordnung_^_Triumphbogen.jpg
     
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  3. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    Thank you Debora, I've just searched for Composite capital brass lamps and there are some very similar ones so thank you very much for the pointer :)
    May I ask, why would you think they would be candle holders first before being converted into lamps ? is there a giveaway or a clue ? would you think they are Victorian possibly ? or Italian ?
    Thanks again for all your help
    Kindest regards
    TF
     
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  4. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    Regency style.
     
  5. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    Is the shade actually metal? Or just with a metallic finish on the interior. I have seen shades with gold (color) inside, but they were not metal.
     
  6. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Well, they aren't Victorian or Edwardian-era lamps either oil or electric so, if they're old, they were converted from something. Given their shape, candlesticks most likely. But really hard to tell from your photographs. Are they drilled to accommodate a cord? What does the cord and plug look like? Does it appear that this hole could accommodate a candle socket?

    Debora

    IMG_1903[1].jpg
     
  7. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    Debora, the brass washer has been permanently fixed over a large hole, looks to be about the size of a 2 pence piece. It looks to have a threaded rod through it leading to the marble base to carry the cord. They have been rewired to modern cable and plugs. There is a nut on the base of the marble so I will attempt to gently undo it tomorrow and see what I can see.
    I will post some more photos tomorrow.
    You’ve been a great help thank you.
    If they are candle sticks are they pre Victorian then ?

    Kind regards
    TF
     
  8. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    Bronwen your absolutely right, they are gold inside and look metallic but I’ve checked with a magnet and they are not magnetic. Thank you for clearing that one up.
    Kindest regards
    TF
     
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  9. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    Thank you sabre, well out of my scope of knowledge so something else to read up on !
    Kindest regards
    TF
     
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  10. wiscbirddog

    wiscbirddog Well-Known Member

    An everyday magnet attracts iron, nickel and cobalt. Not all metals are magnetic.
     
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  11. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    The design is pre-Victorian. Can't tell from photographs if they're old old. Frankly, the base looks a bit high for a candlestick but could be wrong.

    Debora
     
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  12. Ownedbybear

    Ownedbybear Well-Known Member

    Might have been part of a garniture originally.
     
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  13. Bronwen

    Bronwen Well-Known Member

    As wiscbirddog said, only certain metals are attracted to a magnet, so that is not a guarantee that something is not metal. What does it sound like when you tap it with a fingernail? Ting of metal or thud of something softer?
     
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  14. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    IMG_1913.JPG IMG_1914.JPG IMG_1911.JPG IMG_1912.JPG IMG_1909.JPG IMG_1910.JPG Evening all,

    I have managed to very delicately take the lamp apart. The marble base is drilled and a metal rod has been inserted through the body to carry the wires.
    The opening of the body is 2 cm across so wide enough to hold a candle.
    Please find attached photo's for your thoughts re age / era.

    Thank you in advance

    Kindest regards
    TF
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2020
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  15. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    definitely softer than metal, and not as cold to the touch as the brass work
     
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  16. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

    The parts themselves look pretty nice. I'd throw Neoclassical in your search criteria:

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2020
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  17. sabre123

    sabre123 Well-Known Member

  18. tempusfugit

    tempusfugit Member

    Thank you Sabre, they certainly look similar but with a very hefty price tag !
    So pre Victorian, regency lamps converted from possibly candle sticks.

    Thank you very much everyone for all your help

    My kindest regards
    Brett
     
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