An Italian armorial silver library lamp, by Giuseppe Bartolotti, Rome, circa 1770
Auction Closed
September 25, 05:46 PM GMT
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
Lot Details
Description
on a shaped base, with an antique oil lamp-shaped lamp with four spouts, with accessories with chains, with a silver shade decorated with rococo motives with a ring marked probably by Carlo Onorio Masi (maker in Rome in 1739), engraved with a coat-of-arms on base and shade, marks on base and shade: town, maker’s mark and assay's mark; on the movable ring: town and maker's mark
Height. 76 cm. (30 in.); gross weight. 2865 gr. (92.11 oz.)
This work is accompanied by an Export License. We suggest contacting shipping.milan@sothebys.com for additional details on procedures and timing.
Christie’s Rome, 1 December 2004, lot 378
A. Bulgari Calissoni, Maestri Argentieri Gemmari e Orafi di Roma, F.lli Palombi Editori, 1987
S. Fornari, Gli Argenti Romani, Edizioni Del Tritone, Roma, 1968, ill. p. 204
Library lamps are an Italian specialty and come in a variety of shapes. Our example is a Florentine-style oil lamp in the shape of an antique lamp with three or four spouts, but lamps can also have a stem in the shape of Mercury, the god who taught humans the art of making fire, or an Egyptian porter, relating to the Egyptomania that swept Europe in the early 19th century. These lamps often have a screen to dim the direct light from the candle and prevent fires. They also have utensils attached by chains, such as snuffers, extinguishers and tongs.
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