A pair of George IV bronze and ormolu standing colza lights by Smethurst, circa 1820

the campana shaped reservoirs with flambeau finials and dome lids, the socles issuing leaf-cast reeded arms and later glass shades, supported upon stands modelled with three opposed storks, the tripod stands with leaf and rosette decorated friezes between ram's mask capped pilaster supports with paw feet on moulded and stepped bases with ribbed blocks standing on associated simulated Siena marble scagliola cylindrical pedestals, one arm of each light bearing an impressed label 'SMETHURST/MANUFACTURER/138 NEW BOND St.'

Overall in a very good clean condition. The glass shades later as stated. The scagliola pedestals with some very small chips to the edges. For further information on this Lot, please contact the English Furniture Department on 00 44 (0) 207 293-5470.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

James Smethurst is recorded as registering a patent ( No.2654) in 1802 for `certain improvements applicable to lamps and reflectors'. His address was given as St. Margaret`s Hill, Southwark but he later moved to 138 New Bond Street in accordance with the label in the present lot. 

The publication of G.B. Piranesi`s Vasi, Candelabri, Cippi, Sarcofagi.. in 1778 revealed the ingenuity which ancient Romans had displayed in oil lamps and the present lot clearly shows this influence. The form with its crane supports is based  in part on a candelabrum  which Piranesi had composed from Antique fragments found at Hadrian`s Villa at Tivoli (see illustration).

This form appears on other oil lamps including a group of lamps now in the library at Chatsworth (The Duchess of Devonshire, Chatsworth, The House, 2002, p.114) although originally supplied  for Devonshire House, London as they appear in a drawing of the interior of the hall in 1811 and again in a watercolour by William Hunt in 1822, Christopher Simon Sykes, Private Palaces, 1986, p.102 and pl.15. The Chatsworth examples are un-marked but on stylistic grounds could clearly be by Smethurst.  

The crane motif can be seen again on the base of a torchère stand by Tatham, Bailey and Sanders, in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle, illustrated in Hugh Roberts,  For The King`s Pleasure, The Furnishing of George IV`s Apartments at Windsor Castle, 2001, p.117, fig.132.