Featured Mystery woman torchiere candelabra style lamp

Yes this is gesso wood, all artists used this form of plaster before painting sculpture. It's like painting on a white canvas instead of wood showing through.

 

Can we agree now that the clothes are no indication of some specific identity for the lady & that there is no clue there as to country where she was carved? If you can find out where similar blackamoor lamps were made you will find the origin of yours. Trying to find the artist is a wild goose chase. If you're very lucky, you'll find the factory.

 

"Blackamoor candelabra" is a fruitful search.

 

They are very similar but not identical. Look closely at the details, even the execution of the draping, and you will see differences. They probably both relate to some original statue out there, as I doubt either of these to be original artistic executons.

 

I don't think we're going to see Weird back here. The mods have removed 3 posts she made telling me off for my ignorance, presumably her parting shots.

 

I read those posts before they disappeared.

Yes, another Newbie with an agenda, which the folks on our site refused to confirm. So ole' Weird stalks off in a huff, casting aspersions on Bronwen. Such gratitude! Classy......

 

I think some people are looking for someone to instantly recognize their object, and tell them all about it, rather than have to participate in an effort to figure it out.

 

There are some who come looking for validation of their assumptions.

Debora

 

Thank you @komokwa

She must be very young to know so much.

 

I know this post has crashed and burnt a bit, but I'll present some non-professional observations. I'm here because I find many things interesting.

Just looking at it, these too were my 1st thoughts ...

Ironwork ...
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/antique-blackamoor-statue-torchere-floor-lamp

The faux marble coloration of the base and its use on the iron is similar to the base of this item...
https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/pair-blackamoor-torchiere-floor-lamps-1200-c-6b14f7b8f9#
The wood of the pedestal does not seem to have age and may have been an addition, painted to match the painted ironwork.

The pose is classic.
https://www.bidsquare.com/online-auctions/clarke/pair-of-antique-blackamoor-torchiere-lamps-905156

The toothy smile does feel theatrical. The colors too feel theatrical. While it may have originally come from a movie place, I feel its origins stem from another area of entertainment ...
https://mechanicalmusicpress.com/reblitz/galleries/bf_org_wur_155_jw.htm
The following images are from ...
https://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/europe.htm


To me, they have the feel of carousel horse carving and painting. That is what led me in the direction of steam organs.



Just observations and inconclusive.
All in all, an interesting item.

 

Thank you for the calliope concert. Are you suggesting the lamp was ever used in such a setting? Or just has that vibe for you? Your first several links only further confirm me in the view that she is a Europeanized blackamoor, made by the same manufacturer. Let's call her Tondelayo. The 2 sets for which the info is available are not made of wood.

These seem often to come in male-female pairs. Wonder if there's a white male counterpart to this one. Bet there's not.

We had some discussion in the cameo thread about how creepy teeth can be. When I look at this girl I feel she's about to bite me.

 

It's just has that vibe.

 

But...but she was an ARTIST ! She knew that paint was original ,as did her expert friends ! Something about her smelled very familiar,the writing ,the tone. Neither nor,I learned a lot from this post and found it very interesting.

 

I very much like the idea that she was produced for a locale of public entertainment. And she's either been repainted or dates to the mid-20th century when women painted their lips and nails in bold crimson.

Debora

 

The latter, is my feeling. Reminds me of:

 

I googled images of "peasant woman lamp". Then I googled French revolution lady liberty. I still think the latter. Pre-statue of liberty. I did find this pair of French peasant ceramic lamps and you can see the style of clothing seems similar.

 

Again this lamp is not ceramic or acrylic it is hand carved in wood in early 1900s or older. Stop comparing it to french when it has italian traits...

 

I will also add I found the previous owners of lamp. They said they had it shipped in from antique dealer in the 1980s but never knew much information and felt it wasn't worth anything in 2000s and donated it. So the price point of lamp was $3000 in 1980s fyi.