Posted 8 years ago
PickenTexas
(2 items)
This is a working electric lamp with alabaster/stone base, lamp shade and center column. It features 3 bronze mythological creatures facing outward. The mythology creature is a bare chested woman with wings and cat legs. It looks like an art deco style crown is on the head. The stone lamp shade features a ribbon pattern. The lamp is very heavy, at least 75 pounds. Measures 19" tall x 14" wide. In very good condition.
This is a recent estate sale find. The former owner said its been in her family since 1919. I could not find any maker or manufacturing marks of any kind. I did a google search and could not find any information on this piece, and could not find a similar one. Please share if you have any information about this very interesting lamp (country of origin, maker, age, etc.). Thank you.
The figure is a sphinx - human, lion and sometimes winged.
Lovely base. I think though that the shade has been replaced and that the original would have been carved from stone and not made of glass.
I clearly stated that the lamp shade is made of stone.
"The stone lamp shade features a ribbon pattern"
The base, lamp shade and center column are made of alabaster.
Alabaster definition: Alabaster is a white stone that is used for making statues, vases, and ornaments
Actually, I think the figure is lilitu.
lilitu - A woman with bird legs sometimes with wings found in later Greek mythology. (Wikipedia)
But I'm more interested in who made the lamp, when was it made, where was it made, and if anyone has seen a similar one.
A photo of the underside of the base and electrical connection might shed some light on the age.
scott
Well, during periods in European decorative arts (Renaissance, Egyptian revivals) when such figures were used by artists and craftsmen, they thought of them as sphinxes. http://www.kalpana.it/blogpics01/blogs/vienna_sculptures_women_07.jpg (sphinxes in Vienna)
http://www.the-elm-tree.net/rare-book-room-furniture/
http://www.veniceclayartists.com/exotic-egyptian-art-deco/ (scroll halfway down to table)
Yes, "sphinx" looks applicable, thanks.