BY W.A.S. BENSON & CO., CIRCA 1900

Details

A 'NAUTILUS' BRASS AND COPPER TABLE LAMP
BY W.A.S. BENSON & CO., CIRCA 1900
The nautilus shell shade swinging down to conceal the bulb, fitted for electricity, shade possibly associated
22 5/8 in. (57.5 cm.) high, with shell up

Provenance

Sotheby's, Billingshurst, 11 October 2000, lot 3.

Literature

I. Hamerton ed., W.A.S. Benson: Arts and Crafts Luminary and Pioneer of Modern Design, Woodbridge, 2005, cover illustration, pp. 144-5, pls. 123 & 123A.
B. Coleman, The Best of British Arts & Crafts, Atglen, PA, 2004, p. 160.

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country. Specified lots (sold and unsold) marked with a filled square ( ¦ ) not collected from Christie’s, 8 King Street, London SW1Y 6QT by 5.00pm on the day of the sale will, at our option, be removed to Crozier Park Royal (details below). Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite.If the lot is transferred to Crozier Park Royal, it will be available for collection from 12.00pm on the second business day following the sale.Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Crozier Park Royal. All collections from Crozier Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only.Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com.If the lot remains at Christie’s, 8 King Street, it will be available for collection on any working day (not weekends) from 9.00am to 5.00pm

Sale room notice

Please note that although not conclusive, it has been suggested that the shell may be associated.

Conditions of sale

Brought to you by

Adrian Hume-Sayer Director, Specialist

Lot Essay

Another rather whimsical and uncharacteristic piece... This electric table lamp combined an ingenious mixture of natural and synthetic components. The iridescent shell of the nautilus, a marine cephalopod of the Pacific and Indian oceans, was pivoted to allow the shade to be raised to allow direct light or lowered, thus providing a more diffused light source (I. Hammerton, Op. cit. p, 144).

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