A Spotlight on Antique Lighting

One of the most perennially popular categories of antiques with collectors and decorators alike is lighting. From the smallest flat to the largest country house, or even on board a yacht, lighting is always in demand and there are countless options to suit every space and every budget. We always keep a wide variety in stock and this post focuses on pieces in our current collection. Do please contact us if you would like to learn more about any of these items.

Rather than go through these pieces chronologically, we have instead organised this blog by category from the most imposing candelabra to humble table lamps, from neo classical hall lanterns to multi branch crystal chandeliers.

Candelabra and Candlesticks

We begin with candelabra and candlesticks. Candelabra are, for all intents and purposes, candlesticks for more than one light or with multiple branches. They exist in all manners of shapes and sizes and were manufactured in a wide variety of materials, many of which are represented in our stock.

The first pair for illustration are these fine English candelabra in the French manner, made c. 1860

A pair of 19th century bronze, ormolu and fluorspar candelabra

These pieces consist of bronze and gilt bronze mounts on fluorspar pedestals. The bronze putti featured here are a typical subject but these examples are particularly nicely cast and finished. The figures themselves are in the manner of the work of Claude Michel Clodion, one of the great French sculptors. The candle arms and sconces are beautifully realised as well.

We also have a truly extraordinary pair of standing candelabra on pedestals which are after a known Clodion model.

A Magnificent Pair of Louis XVI Candelabra after Clodion

Candelabra of this scale and level of grandeur are rare survivals and found in only the most important stately home and museum collections.

18th century examples of this model are in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace, having been bought by George IV whilst Prince Regent for Carlton House. There is another important pair in the Louvre and a pair of 19″ century date, like ours, is to be found in the Red Drawing Room at Waddesdon Manor, the important Rothschild collection in Buckinghamshire. It is also worth noting that a pair of these candelabra enjoyed something of a starring role in the TV smash hit Downton Abbey as they stand in the corners of the Great Hall at Highelere Castle, used as the set for the television programme.

Returning to candelabra of more modest size but certainly not of modest workmanship or materials, the next pair to discuss is this extremely interesting pair of English silver gilt and serpentine marble pieces, hallmarked for London 1894.

A superb pair of Victorian silver gilt candelabra

In the Victorian neoclassical revival style, these fantastic pieces have serpentine marble, of Cornish origin, urns and plinths which are then mounted in silver gilt rather than the far more common ormolu. The silver gilt, fully hallmarked for London and dated 1894, consists of a pair of candle arms and sconces joined by central putti or cherub figures and adorned with floral swags. The bases are adorned with leaf-form mounts and around the friezes are panels of strapwork decoration with classical masks.

These candelabra are sure to have been a special commission and are exceptional examples of the silversmiths’ work from this period.

Of French origin, we have a fine pair of six light candelabra in bronze, ormolu and marble in our current collection.

A pair of Napoleon III six-light candelabra

The central bronze figures are of young fauns-creatures associated with Bacchus and Bacchic rites, thus often used as decorative devices representing hospitality, enjoyment and the joys of wine and drinking. The fine grey marble pillars, with stop fluting, and bases are ornamented with numerous fine ormolu mounts and stand upon flattened bun feet.

Also of French origin but some 20 years earlier in date are these sculptural candelabra which were in the collection of the celebrated jewellery dealer Jean Louis Chameroy.

A pair of Egyptian porphyry and bronze candelabra after Charles-Antoine Bridan

These fine two-branch candelabra incorporate bronze reductions of a famous pair of sculptures created by the sculptor Charles- Antoine Bridan in 1759, consisting of a girl crying over her empty bird’s nest and a boy with bird – presumably stolen from her. The original sculptures were produced for the Cardinal de Luynes in marble and terracotta models of the same subjects from the artist’s studio are in the collection of the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Chartres. The subjects were very popular at the time that they were first created and, perhaps due to Bridan residing in Italy for several years whilst studying at the French Academy there, they became very sought-after by English grand tourists of the period. Marbles of both subjects were acquired on his grand tour by William Constable of Burton Constable Hall in Yorkshire and were shipped home to England in 1771.

Other features that make these candelabra particularly desirable include the use of imperial Egyptian porphyry for the bases, a highly luxurious material that is very sought-after, and the sheer size and scale of the bronze figural models.

Torcheres

Another category of antique lighting is that of torcheres or candle stands. These are designed to support and allow the maximum amount of light to illuminate an interior in the age of candle lighting. As time wore on and gas lighting and electricity began to take over, torchere designs were adapted for use as jardiniere stands instead and the pair discussed below could be used for either function.

A pair of mahogany and gilt metal jardinières/torchères

Of French origin once again, these fine late 19th century pieces are made of mahogany with luxurious gilt metal (ormolu) mounts, including fine Greek key mounts on the inscrolling feet. These were executed in the Louis XVI high neoclassical manner and are the perfect accent pieces for a room.

Table Lamps

Originally designed for gas, this fine English regency period table lamp has been wired for electricity.

A Regency brass triple column table lamp

Of large scale, this fine example of regency design stands on three winged paw feet flanking a pyramid and has a triple column central support. The palm tree-type leafy capital is another feature which suggests an Egyptian influence.

From the middle of the 19th century, we have a fine pair of Napoleon III period figural table lamps with bronze putti, one left handed and one right handed, supporting candle arms and sconces that have been wired for electricity.

A pair of Napoleon III bronze and ormolu table lamps

The figures stand on ormolu bases with fine fluted detail and the lamps are of impressive large scale. Please see the video of the pieces on our website for more details.

Another popular table lamp is the base lamp, where antique vases are turned in to lamps. We have two pairs of vase lamps in our current collection. The first is a pair of French pate-sur-pate vases that were originally conceived as oil lamps but later converted for electricity.

A pair of French pate-sur-pate ceramic oil lamps

These beautiful blue lamps have floral decoration applied to the surface and are mounted in the chinoiserie style. Please see our website video for more details.

Our second pair of vase lamps are also French in origin but are made from carved onyx in the form of antique vases with ormolu mounts.

French onyx and ormolu lamps

These lamps date to the turn of the 20th century, c. 1900, and have been rewired, ready for use in the modern home.

Wall Lights

Another popular form of antique lighting is the wall light. Usually found in pairs or larger sets, these pieces can be made of silver, ormolu, gilded or carved wood and a variety of other materials. We have two pairs of wall lights and one set of four in our current collection.

Our group of four wall lights are of French origin, made in Paris in fact as is demonstrated by the stamp Rode à Paris found on the back of each one.

French gilt wall lights

These lovely examples are of late 19th century date but executed in the régence style that was introduced to France in the period between 1715 and 1723. Each has four candle arms, the backplates feature central female masks and urns.

The first pair of lights is of bronze, made c. 1880 in the high Louis XVI neoclassical style.

Pair of French bronze wall-lights

These lights feature classical flaming torches as the backplates and have three candle arms to each light. They have been wired for electricity.

Our final pair of wall lights are also French but are somewhat earlier in date, c. 1860.

A pair of Napoleon III two-branch ormolu wall lights

These lights have two candle arms each and the backplates feature ribbons and bows combined with fruiting vines, referencing once again themes of plenty and generosity, both associated with the art of entertaining. The wall lights are constructed throughout in ormolu which has been finely cast and chased and they are of large and impressive scale.

Hanging Lighting

Our final category is hanging lighting. In the case of our stock we can sub-divide this in to two categories: lanterns and chandeliers.

Hall Lanterns

We have two fine hall lanterns in our current collection, both of 19th century French origin. The first example is of Napoleon III period, c.1850, and is of pentagonal shape.

A Napoleon III pentagonal ormolu hanging lantern

This lantern is of very grand country house scale, being 41 inches in height and having a maximum chain length of 30 inches. Designed for use in a porch or in a hallway, lanterns of this sort are frequently used as statement lighting fixtures in other rooms in a house as well. As might be expected given the pentagonal shape, the lantern has five candle arms inside, wired for electricity, and its refined external decoration consists of scrollwork and foliate detailing. Please see our website video for more information. Our second hall lantern is also of large scale but smaller than the previous example. It is also later in date, dating from c. 1875.

A late 19th century French gilt-brass and steel novelty ‘quarterdeck’ mantel clock by Guilmet, Paris

The decoration on this lantern is slightly more pared down, giving it a more modern aesthetic perhaps, but is still in the rococo style. This piece is of hexagonal shape and, like the previous example, has been wired for electricity and is ready to hang.

Chandeliers

We only have one chandelier in stock at the present time but it is a particularly attractive one.

A French bronze chandelier with the original chain and ceiling rose

Constructed throughout in bronze, this piece is executed in the early 19th century Empire style but was made c.1890. The eight arms are of rhyton form and there are many examples of finely cast detailing throughout this design, such as the sconces and ends of the candle arms, the foliate detailing to the stem and central knop and the finial. This is a chandelier of usable size in the modern home, not one that is restricted to use in an enormous mansion, and as such it is highly desirable. The patinated bronze has a lovely depth of finish which looks all the more lustrous when the piece is lit.

We hope you have enjoyed this little tour of our antique lighting and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you are looking for that special accent piece for your own home.