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Lot 77
A SET OF FOUR ENGLISH ORMOLU AND PATINATED-BRONZE THREE-LIGHT TORCHERES
LATE 19TH/20TH CENTURY, THE LAMPS INCORPORATING EARLY 19TH CENTURY ELEMENTS
Closed23 March 2017
Price Realised
GBP 60,000
More Information
Specialist note
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.
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.