Lighting

Antique lighting can range from simple terracotta roman oil lamps or a pewter candlesticks to elaborate and impressive chandeliers.

In between come a whole range of different lighting forms depending on country of origin or their specific function. They encompass enamelled glass mosque lamps from Middle Eastern countries; European giltwood or ormolu wall brackets; figural torchères that hold lamps or the coloured glass creations from the likes of Daum and Gallé in Northern France to Tiffany’s distinctive American designs.

With the arrival of electricity, lighting gradually became more functional and simplified. Today lights by inter- or post-war Scandinavian or ‘50s and ‘60s Italian designers have acquired the status of design classics.


Favrile glass and bronze dogwood cone chandelier

06 August 2001

Tiffany Favrile glass brought the biggest money at Sotheby’s (20/15/10% buyer’s premium) 407-lot 20th Century Works of Art, June 5. Foremost was a privately consigned Favrile glass and bronze dogwood cone chandelier, 3ft 4in (1m), with chains, ceiling cap and verdigris patina.

Rare 18th century mahogany candlestand

03 August 2001

UK: The rarity of an object such as this 18th century mahogany candlestand usually points to a high estimate, but the £1000-1500 range put on this example by Henry Adams of Chichester at their sale on July 25 had the desired effect of encouraging healthy competition among bidders.

A pair of gilt and cedarwood girandoles in the neoclassical manner

20 March 2000

UK: A pair of gilt and cedarwood girandoles in the neoclassical manner, 5ft 9in high by 3ft wide (1.75m x 91cm), from the contents of Barnby Moor House, near Retford offered by Neales of Nottingham on February 24.

English owls take flight

05 April 1999

UK: WHILE Christie’s sale of the collection of the Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava lacked much of the memorabilia one so often associates with these events, the personal gap was filled in some measure by the elements from The Owl House.

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