A highly unusual gilt-bronze mounted, mahogany and cut-glass volta hydrogen vase-shaped electric light, French Empire, circa 1810

Estimate

5,000 - 8,000 EUR

bidding is closed

Description

mahogany, glass, crystal
Haut. 48 cm., larg. 26 cm., prof. 26 cm.; Height 18⁷/₈in.; width 10¼in.; depht 10¼in.

the upper baluster cut-glass vase with a stopper, above a gilt-bronze socle and a lower cut-glass vessel, on a square mahogany base with a drawer fitted with a zinc tray, on a plinth ending in bracket feet; (some losses to the mechanism)

Provenance

Formerly in the Collection of Charles d'Amedor de Mollans, Marquis de Mollans (1774-1836), in his château d'Amblans-et-Velotte;
Bought circa 1906 by Mr G. Adamowicz to the heirs of the Marquis

Literature

Literature:
Science et Vie, n. 364, January 1948 (illustrated)

Catalogue Note

Only three other models are known:

- one sold to the Russian Court around 1900
- the second one was on the American market less than ten years ago
- the third one is exhibited at the Musée des Arts et Métiers in Paris, but is a laboratory instrument, without ornament.

The use was simple: the casket contained a resin tray reacting by friction with a cat's skin, creating electricity. The resin tray was linked to the tap of two cristal vases, releasing hydrogen producted by the combination of sulphuric acid inside the upper vase, and zinc pieces inside the lower vase.