Early 19C gilt and black bronze ‘Swan’ Argand Table Lamps
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Early 19C gilt and black bronze ‘Swan’ Argand Table Lamps

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Early 19C gilt and black-bronze ‘Swan’ Argand Table Lamps:
the reservoir with two swans and a pineapple finial; the lamp with stylised leaf and flower decoration on a stepped base; dressed with two rows of cut glass prisms and gilt-topped ‘icicle’ pendants, with frosted and clear cut shades. Circa 1830, marked ‘B. Gardiner, New York’ on the oil burner; now restored and wired for electriciy.

Height: 18¾" - 47.5cm
Width: 13" - 33.0cm
Projection: 7" - 18.0cm

Argand

Francois-Pierre-Ami Argand (1750-1803), the Swiss philosopher and inventor, developed a more efficient burner for colza oil (rape-seed). Developed in Paris, he received a British patent a few years later for his invention: ' a lamp that is so constructed to produce neither smoak [sic.] nor smell, and to give considerably more light than any lamp hitherto known .' 1784 (patent no. 1425). It consisted of a tubular wick held between metal tubes, a rack and pinion wick riser assembly and a tall, narrow chimney that fit closely around the wick causing air to be drawn up through the center of the flame as well as around its outside creating more thorough combustion. It was designed to burn oil issuing from an oil reserve or “font” positioned so that the oil would flow from the force of gravity to the burner. It consisted of a tubular wick held between metal tubes, a rack and pinion wick riser assembly and a tall, narrow chimney that fit closely around the wick causing air to be drawn up through the center of the flame as well as around its outside creating more thorough combustion. It was designed to burn oil issuing from an oil reserve or “font” positioned so that the oil would flow from the force of gravity to the burner. The Argand burner was also adapted for gas in 1809.

finial

Ornament forming a finishing flourish.

cut glass

Often now referred to as 'crystal', the glass was blown and shaped, then passed to a specialist cutter, who would polish and cut patterns to enhance its brilliance.

gilded, gilt

A very thin layer of gold applied to brass or bronze.

'icicle' pendant

Tapered cut-glass pendant with multi-facetted cutting, in the shape of an icicle.

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