Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) and Edward James (1907-1984)

The present lot is one of two pairs that were supplied to James for use in Monkton. One pair was to be sited in the Business Room, the other pair positioned adjacent to the pair of worsted-trimmed Mae West Lips Sofas, flanking the fireplace in the Dining Room. Examination of the communication between James and John Hill’s firm Green & Abbot, whose design drawings for the lamps are dated 7 March 1938, reveals James’s fastidious attention to every detail. A first pair was already in place by late July 1938, however these were to be recalled to Green & Abbot so that the shades could be raised by a mere four inches. Further intrigue concerned the wells of the champagne cups, which were proving popular as ashtrays amongst James’s guests. Initially James considered having these thinly lined with glass, before settling upon hemispherical metal cups correctly patinated to invisibly match the shaft. The final considerations concerning the ornamentation of the lamps involved the gilt-painting of ivy leaves to the Rococo-style base, with the first completed pair being delivered on the 19 December 1938, the second and final pair being received by summer 1939. That these two pairs of lamps should require over a year of consistent revisions to the design bears witness to the immense commitment that James expressed towards achieving perfection in his ambition. The other, matching pair of lamps of this design remain with the Edward James Foundation.