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Lot Essay
Lamps of this type take their name from Francois-Pierre Aim Argand, a Swiss-born scientist working in France, who in 1783 invented a way to increase the circulation of oxygen in the glass shades, and therefore the brightness of the flame.
Retailers J. & I. Cox (James and John Cox) were active in New York City from 1817-1839 at 5 Maiden Lane and from 1846-1853 at 349 Broadway. The brothers first ran a lamp and oil store, but were later identified as watchmakers and jewelers who also dealt in silverware. Among the wares identified by their stamp are silver kettles on stands and English bronze lamps, of which the present lot is a fine example.
This pattern of trade is exemplified by a similar pair of lamps, circa 1835, manufactured by Thomas Messenger & Sons (1797-1920), London and Birmingham, England and retailed by Jones, Low and Ball (1835-40), Boston illustrated in Donald C. Pierce, Art & Enterprise, American Decorative Arts, 1825-1917, The Virginia Carroll Crawford Collection, (Atlanta, 1999) pp. 22-23, cat. no. 4.
Retailers J. & I. Cox (James and John Cox) were active in New York City from 1817-1839 at 5 Maiden Lane and from 1846-1853 at 349 Broadway. The brothers first ran a lamp and oil store, but were later identified as watchmakers and jewelers who also dealt in silverware. Among the wares identified by their stamp are silver kettles on stands and English bronze lamps, of which the present lot is a fine example.
This pattern of trade is exemplified by a similar pair of lamps, circa 1835, manufactured by Thomas Messenger & Sons (1797-1920), London and Birmingham, England and retailed by Jones, Low and Ball (1835-40), Boston illustrated in Donald C. Pierce, Art & Enterprise, American Decorative Arts, 1825-1917, The Virginia Carroll Crawford Collection, (Atlanta, 1999) pp. 22-23, cat. no. 4.