Details
A PAIR OF GEORGE III BRONZED COADESTONE LAMPS, modelled by John Bacon the Elder, one with figure of Psyche stooping beside a column, on a stepped plinth base with bowed ends, the other with a figure of Hymen holding a fluted metal column, seated on a naturalistic rocky base and rectangular plinth with bowed ends, both now fitted with a foliate-cast bronze urn and light fitment with cut-glass storm shade, one incised COADE LAMBETH
28¼in. (72cm.) high, overall (2)
28¼in. (72cm.) high, overall (2)
Provenance
Probably purchased from Alexis ffrench, 15 Pont Street, since he invoiced for their electrification in December 1951
Literature
A Descriptive Catalogue of Coade's Artificial Stone Manufactory ... with Prices Affixed, London, 1784, p.4, nos. 46 and 47
Coade's Gallery or Exhibition of Artificial Stone, London, 1799,
p.33, nos. 101 and 102
Leeds, Temple Newsam House, The Fashionable Fireplace, Exhibiton Catalogue, 1985, no. 73
T. Clifford, 'John Bacon and the Manufacturers', Apollo, vol. 122, 1985, nos. 293 and 303
A. Kelly, Mrs Coade's Stone, Upton-upon-Severn, 1990, pp. 186-187 and 360
Leeds, Temple Newsam House, Country House Lighting, Exhibition Catalogue, 1993, pp.132 and 142-143, no. 117
As early as 1777 Elanor Coade exhibited 'Hymen and Psyche; two figures for Candelabrums' at the Society of Artists (no. 183). Her 1784 catalogue (loc.cit.) lists two versions of the figures. A plain example is priced at 4 guineas per object. The more elaborate version with a spring candle-tube is priced at 5 guineas. It seems likely that the present pair, with bronze tubes, are of the more expensive type.
The examples of these models that were exhibited in 1985 and 1993 are in the collection of Manchester City Art Gallery at at Heaton Hall, Manchester. The Hymen figure has a completely plain tube which differs from that shown in the Coade Etchings of circa 1778- 8. The design shown is of the present, almost Gothic, type.
Psyche and Hymen are separately connected with lighting in mythology. In the story told by Apuleius in The Golden Ass, Psyche is forbidden to look at Cupid but cannot resist holding a lamp over him to do so. He is woken by a drop of hot oil that falls from the vessel, causing her to search the world for him. Hymen is both the Greek and Roman god of marriage, usually represented carrying a torch
Coade's Gallery or Exhibition of Artificial Stone, London, 1799,
p.33, nos. 101 and 102
Leeds, Temple Newsam House, The Fashionable Fireplace, Exhibiton Catalogue, 1985, no. 73
T. Clifford, 'John Bacon and the Manufacturers', Apollo, vol. 122, 1985, nos. 293 and 303
A. Kelly, Mrs Coade's Stone, Upton-upon-Severn, 1990, pp. 186-187 and 360
Leeds, Temple Newsam House, Country House Lighting, Exhibition Catalogue, 1993, pp.132 and 142-143, no. 117
As early as 1777 Elanor Coade exhibited 'Hymen and Psyche; two figures for Candelabrums' at the Society of Artists (no. 183). Her 1784 catalogue (loc.cit.) lists two versions of the figures. A plain example is priced at 4 guineas per object. The more elaborate version with a spring candle-tube is priced at 5 guineas. It seems likely that the present pair, with bronze tubes, are of the more expensive type.
The examples of these models that were exhibited in 1985 and 1993 are in the collection of Manchester City Art Gallery at at Heaton Hall, Manchester. The Hymen figure has a completely plain tube which differs from that shown in the Coade Etchings of circa 1778- 8. The design shown is of the present, almost Gothic, type.
Psyche and Hymen are separately connected with lighting in mythology. In the story told by Apuleius in The Golden Ass, Psyche is forbidden to look at Cupid but cannot resist holding a lamp over him to do so. He is woken by a drop of hot oil that falls from the vessel, causing her to search the world for him. Hymen is both the Greek and Roman god of marriage, usually represented carrying a torch