AN ITALIAN SILVER OIL LAMP

Details

AN ITALIAN SILVER OIL LAMP
MAKER'S MARK OF FRANCESCO COLEIN, ROME, CIRCA 1830

On circular base, the oil vase terminating in four bearded masks as wick mounts, chased with stiff leaves, with central heart-shaped standard pierced with paterae, the shade pierced with foliage and bees, the chains suspending tweezers, snuffer and wick-trimming scissors, fully marked--42 7/8in.(109cm.) high
(gross weight 122oz., 3809gr.)

Provenance

Professor Ingram Bywater, Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford University

Literature

Lot Essay

The present lamp appears in a portrait by John Singer Sargent of Professor Bywater now in the Tate Gallery, London. According to family tradition Sargent adored the lamp and offered unsuccessfully to paint Mrs. Bywater's portrait in exchange for it. The lamp is accompanied by two manuscript notes whith detailed information on the provenance.