19th Century Louis XVI Style Ormolu Bouillotte Lamp, Ochre Tole Shade

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Description

Louis XVI-style ormolu candlestick bouillotte lamp with an ochre tole shade, incorporating a nineteenth-century candlestick subsequently adapted for electricity. Its … Read more Louis XVI-style ormolu candlestick bouillotte lamp with an ochre tole shade, incorporating a nineteenth-century candlestick subsequently adapted for electricity. Its symmetrical silhouette and finely articulated ornament reflect the French neoclassical tradition, combining a slender vertical stem with a broad circular shade.

The stepped circular base is decorated with ribbon-bound ornament and beaded moldings. A spreading fluted foot rises into a tapering column, enriched with narrow channels and delicate foliate details. Above, an urn-shaped candle cup supports a broad drip pan and an ivory-colored candle sleeve. The cast ornament displays crisp definition, with warm golden surfaces and darker recesses emphasizing its relief.

The painted metal shade has a truncated-cone profile, finished in warm ochre with caramel and tobacco undertones. Subtle brushed variation gives the exterior depth, while dark brown edging defines the upper and lower rims. A cream-colored interior reflects light downward.

A leafy wreath finial crowns the central stem, accompanied by a feathered arrow-shaped screw securing the adjustable shade collar. The wreath recalls classical laurel symbolism associated with victory, distinction, and the arts. The arrow complements this neoclassical vocabulary while serving a practical function.

The bouillotte shade arrangement derives from lamps used around French gaming tables, shielding the eyes while illuminating the playing surface. Two opposing sockets provide balanced illumination beneath the shade.

The lamp measures 23.5 inches high with a 5-inch-diameter base. The shade measures 12.5 inches in diameter × 5 inches high.
Rewired. Age-related patina and scattered scratches and paint losses to the shade. See less