An Unusual Early 20thC French Naturalistic Cast Bronze & Brass Lamp as a Queen of the Night Cactus
SOLD
Origin: French
Period: Early 20thC
Provenance: From the estate of the late Nellie Lenson-Smith (1928-2017)
Date: c.1920-35
Height: 41.5”
Depth: 17”
Width: 15.5” (all at extremities)
The good quality patinated bronze and brass table or floor lamp modelled as a large flowered Queen of the Night (Selenicereus grandifloras) cactus, having three brass spined arms flowering to the bulb apertures, on a naturalistic heavy bronze base, surviving from the second quarter of twentieth century France.
The condition of the lamp is good with some small losses to the tips with a good patination to the whole. It is in full working order with a cable switch on/off button. We have re-wired it and given it a proper earth with PAT testing. The Edison filament globe bulbs can be provided if required.
This type of cactus flowers in late spring or early summer and only blooms one night a year for several years and withers within hours – very apt for a light fitting. We cannot find another example like this having been sold. The lamps size means it could be used floor-standing as opposed to table-top.
Truly the queen of the night, coming alive when all is dark.
Period: Early 20thC
Provenance: From the estate of the late Nellie Lenson-Smith (1928-2017)
Date: c.1920-35
Height: 41.5”
Depth: 17”
Width: 15.5” (all at extremities)
The good quality patinated bronze and brass table or floor lamp modelled as a large flowered Queen of the Night (Selenicereus grandifloras) cactus, having three brass spined arms flowering to the bulb apertures, on a naturalistic heavy bronze base, surviving from the second quarter of twentieth century France.
The condition of the lamp is good with some small losses to the tips with a good patination to the whole. It is in full working order with a cable switch on/off button. We have re-wired it and given it a proper earth with PAT testing. The Edison filament globe bulbs can be provided if required.
This type of cactus flowers in late spring or early summer and only blooms one night a year for several years and withers within hours – very apt for a light fitting. We cannot find another example like this having been sold. The lamps size means it could be used floor-standing as opposed to table-top.
Truly the queen of the night, coming alive when all is dark.
