BY GARDNER'S, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF ENGLISH BRONZE COLZA OIL LAMPS
BY GARDNER'S, SECOND HALF 19TH CENTURY
Each stem surmounted by a vase and issuing a single branch with cut-glass shade, on a later stop-fluted mahogany pedestal with green-painted base, one stamped 'E & J GARDNER MANUFACTURERS/ 453, STRAND LONDON', the other 'GARDNERS MANUFACTURERS/ CHARING CROSS LONDON', minor differences, fitted for electricity
The lamps: 22 ½ in. (57 cm.) high
The pedestals: 46 ½ in. (118 cm.) high; 16 ½ in. (42 cm.) square

Provenance

Maitre et Mme Michard-Pelissier; sold Christie's, Paris, 27 June 2007, lots 20 & 21.

Special notice

Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square not collected from Christie’s by 5.00 pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Cadogan Tate. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Cadogan Tate Ltd. All collections will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.

Brought to you by

Alexandra Cruden

acruden@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2566

Lot Essay

In 1783, the chemist Ami Argand (1759 - 1803) invented an oil lamp burner that burned ten-times brighter than a candle. The lamp primarily used rapeseed oil, which was particularly viscuous and could not be conducted with a wick. Thus the reservoir of oil was placed higher than in previous lamp designs so that the oil could travel through the effect of gravity. This burner became an immense success for the form as much as for the light it provided, but was soon replaced by the sinumbre oil lamp, which also produced a bright light and without a shadow. A number of lamps similar to the present lot are illustrated in J. Bourne and V. Brett, L'Art du Luminaire, Flammarion, Paris, pp. 132-137.

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