Monumental 1875 Sheffield Sterling Silver & Cut Glass Corinthian Banquet Lamp

Details

Description

Monumental 1875 Sheffield Sterling Silver & Cut Glass Corinthian Banquet Lamp

Own a masterpiece of High Victorian opulence with this … Read more Monumental 1875 Sheffield Sterling Silver & Cut Glass Corinthian Banquet Lamp

Own a masterpiece of High Victorian opulence with this monumental 29-inch banquet lamp. Hallmarked in Sheffield, England in 1875, this architectural tour de force was designed during the height of the Neo-Classical revival. The base is crafted from solid sterling silver, fashioned as a towering Corinthian column with a crisp Acanthus leaf capital resting upon a stepped, beaded plinth.

The lamp is crowned by a heavy, "diamond-point" hand-cut glass font (reservoir) that houses an original silver-plated burner assembly by the legendary Hinks & Son—the most prestigious lighting manufacturer of the Gilded Age. The piece is completed with its original large, frosted glass globe, which features a delicate, acid-etched pastoral scene of songbirds amidst flowering berries. This is an "anchor" piece designed for a grand foyer, a formal mahogany dining table, or a curated traditional library.

Hallmarks & Authenticity
This piece features a clear and complete set of British hallmarks on the base:
Maker’s Mark: "H.E & Co" for Hawksworth, Eyre & Co.
The Lion Passant: Guarantee of Sterling Silver (.925).
The Crown: Sheffield city mark.
Date Letter "h": Certified for the year 1875.
Burner Mark: The adjustment knob is clearly stamped "Hinks No. 2," verifying the high-end componentry.

Components & Artistry
The Column: A symbol of strength and tradition, the sterling silver fluting catches the light with a soft, "moonlight" glow.
The Font: The high-lead-content glass reservoir features deep geometric cuts that create a prismatic effect when illuminated.
The Globe: The acid-etched "Bird and Bough" motif is a hallmark of Aesthetic Movement influence, bringing a touch of naturalism to the formal structure.

Dimensions
Total Height: 29.25 in (to top of chimney)
Base Width: 6 in x 6 in (Square Plinth)
Globe Diameter: 8 in

Condition
Excellent Antique Condition – This lamp has been preserved with its original, unpolished "estate patina," which highlights the depth of the silver-work. The frosted globe and cut-glass font are free of major chips, cracks, or clouding. The lamp has been professionally converted for modern electrical use. While fully functional, the vintage wiring is older; as with all antique electronics, we recommend a simple rewiring for modern safety standards.

A rare union of Sheffield silver-smithing and Victorian technical brilliance, this Banquet Lamp is a blue-chip acquisition for the discerning collector of English Silver and Luxury Lighting. It stands as a luminous testament to the grandeur of 19th-century transatlantic heritage. See less