A GEORGE IV BRONZE COLZA LAMP

This colza or '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.
The 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 closely related pattern. A set of four similar lamps featuring the same base of adorsed cranes - 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.
Four lamps of the same design, two of which were signed by Smethurst, and accompanying torchère stands, were sold from the collection of Robert de Balkany, Christie's, London, 22-23 March 2017, lot 77 (£60,000 including premium).