LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY, THE LAMPS INCORPORATING EARLY 19TH CENTURY ELEMENTS

Details

A SET OF FOUR ENGLISH ORMOLU AND PATINATED-BRONZE THREE-LIGHT TORCHERES
LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY, THE LAMPS INCORPORATING EARLY 19TH CENTURY ELEMENTS
Each surmounted by an urn with triform colza lamp issuing three branches above stork supports, on an athenienne stand, two labelled 'SMETHURST MANUFACTURER/138 NEW BOND ST', fitted for electricity
70 in. (178 cm.) high; 20 ½ in. (52 cm.) diameter

Provenance

One pair Regence to Faberge; sold Christie's, London, 20 May 2010, lot 10.
One pair acquired from Partridge as Regency.

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

This 'argand' lamp pattern is derived from an ancient Roman marble candelabrum excavated on the site of Hadrian's Villa by Gavin Hamilton in 1769 and subsequently engraved in Gian-Battista Piranesi's Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi, Tripodi, Lucerne, et Ornamenti Antichi, published in 1778.

This model was invented by the Regency lamp-manufacturer James Smethurst of New Bond Street, whose registered mark of post-1814 has been recorded on period examples of this model. A set of four lamps of identical pattern - although not apparently signed - is in the collection of the Dukes of Devonshire at Chatsworth House, Derbyshire. These were originally supplied for the Saloon of Devonshire House, London, where they are recorded in Henry Hunt's watercolour of 1817. Two were exhibited in 'Country House Lighting', Exhibition Catalogue, 1992, no.120.

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