a small collection of antique silver and objects of vertu
oil lamp (in Italian called Lucerna)
Italy
-7-
the production of silver oil lamps spreads in Italy at the beginning of 18th century and continued till late 19th century.
This oil lamp is over 40 in. high (cm. 104) and weighs 2500gr (over 80oz). Silver is not sterling but a lower title used in Continental Europe and Italy (probably 889/1000 used in Rome after Pope's Reinstatement of 1815). The lamp is in neo-classical style, with a circular base in foliate motifs, weighed with an interior moulded wood. The oil reservoir has similar foliate motifs with four wick's spouts in the form of female heads supporting chains with tweezers, probe and scissors wick-trimmer. The rod has two acorn and a vase shaped element to cover the reservoir. Finial is in the form of a lyre. Holes for electrification are present on base, reservoir and rod. The lamp is hallmarked in all its elements (scissors wick-trimmer, probe and tweezers included) with the Papal State hallmark (a shield with a tiara and a pair of crossed keys). The hallmark shown below is not an exact copy as I was unable to find a quite similar one.
The lamp was bough by a US dealer through internet
the production of silver oil lamps spreads in Italy at the beginning of 18th century and continued till late 19th century.
