Design 17/20: Furniture, Silver, Ceramics & Clocks
Design 17/20: Furniture, Silver, Ceramics & Clocks
Property from an Important English Private Collection
A pair of George IV Gothic revival patinated brass Argand lamps, circa 1830, in the manner of Thomas Messenger & Sons
Lot Closed
November 9, 02:18 PM GMT
Estimate
1,500 - 2,500 GBP
Lot Details
Description
Property from an Important English Private Collection
A pair of George IV Gothic revival patinated brass Argand lamps, circa 1830, in the manner of Thomas Messenger & Sons
the octagonal Gothic panelled reservoir with single candle-arms on stepped octagonal bases, drilled
each: 52cm. high; 1ft. 8 ½in.
Tullissio de Beaumont, 18 November 1993.
These lamps are often referred to as Argand lamps, after the Swiss inventor Ami Argand of Geneva. Argand designed a circular hollow wick with holder for a glass chimney, which the lamps in the present lot would have had, to allow a current of air both inside and outside of the flame.
The present lamp relates to examples by Thomas Messenger & Sons but there were a number of makers from the period from which the present lots dates who may be responsible. These include Hancock & Rixon and William Collins.
Thomas Messenger began as a maker of furniture mounts, but by 1826 had established himself as a lamp-maker with premises both in Birmingham and in London. A trade label of circa 1835 indicates that, in partnership with his sons, he produced 'Chandeliers, Tripods and Lamps of Every description' in bronze and ormolu. Among Messengers's clients was the 4th Duke of Newcastle, who on a visit to Birmingham in 1838 commissioned three pairs of Antique style lamps based on an engraving by Piranesi, one of which was sold Christie's London, 29 November 1984, lot 91 (cf. Jessica Rutherford, Country House Lighting 1660-1890, exh. cat., Temple Newsam, 1992, pp. 145-146, No.121, illus; and Christopher Gilbert and Anthony Wells-Cole, The Fashionable Fireplace 1660-1840, Ibid, 1985, p.81, No.76, Art Gallery, and a colza oil hanging light produced by the firm circa 1825-30, sold Phillips, Domestic Interior, 1991, P.175, No.583). Gasoliers by Messenger were exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862, and the firm continued to flourish throughout the 19th century (cf. J.B. Waring, Masterpieces of Industrial Art and Sculpture at the International Exhibition, 1862, pl.246, repr. Bourne & Brett, op. cit., p.218, No.714; and Rutherford, op. cit., p.96, fig.52). A pair of William IV gilt-brass colza lamps by Thomas Messenger & Sons sold at Sotheby's London, 10 November 1995, lot 11.
The present lamp relates to examples by Thomas Messenger & Sons but there were a number of makers from the period from which the present lots dates who may be responsible. These include Hancock & Rixon and William Collins.
Thomas Messenger began as a maker of furniture mounts, but by 1826 had established himself as a lamp-maker with premises both in Birmingham and in London. A trade label of circa 1835 indicates that, in partnership with his sons, he produced 'Chandeliers, Tripods and Lamps of Every description' in bronze and ormolu. Among Messengers's clients was the 4th Duke of Newcastle, who on a visit to Birmingham in 1838 commissioned three pairs of Antique style lamps based on an engraving by Piranesi, one of which was sold Christie's London, 29 November 1984, lot 91 (cf. Jessica Rutherford, Country House Lighting 1660-1890, exh. cat., Temple Newsam, 1992, pp. 145-146, No.121, illus; and Christopher Gilbert and Anthony Wells-Cole, The Fashionable Fireplace 1660-1840, Ibid, 1985, p.81, No.76, Art Gallery, and a colza oil hanging light produced by the firm circa 1825-30, sold Phillips, Domestic Interior, 1991, P.175, No.583). Gasoliers by Messenger were exhibited at the International Exhibition of 1862, and the firm continued to flourish throughout the 19th century (cf. J.B. Waring, Masterpieces of Industrial Art and Sculpture at the International Exhibition, 1862, pl.246, repr. Bourne & Brett, op. cit., p.218, No.714; and Rutherford, op. cit., p.96, fig.52). A pair of William IV gilt-brass colza lamps by Thomas Messenger & Sons sold at Sotheby's London, 10 November 1995, lot 11.