£495.00
A handsome late 19th-century silver-plated Corinthian column lamp, originally made as an oil lamp and subsequently sympathetically converted.
Beautifully proportioned and strongly architectural in form, the lamp features a tall fluted column rising from a substantial stepped square base and terminating in an elaborately cast Corinthian capital decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolling detail.
A handsome late 19th-century silver-plated Corinthian column lamp, originally made as an oil lamp and subsequently sympathetically converted.
Beautifully proportioned and strongly architectural in form, the lamp features a tall fluted column rising from a substantial stepped square base and terminating in an elaborately cast Corinthian capital decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolling detail.
The silver-plated finish works particularly well with the classical design, catching the light across the raised architectural details while darker tones remain within the recessed areas of the fluting and capital.
Originally conceived during the 19th century as an oil lamp, the piece has since been converted to electricity, allowing it to continue serving its original purpose as lighting while being practical for a modern interior.
At 44 cm / 17.3 inches high to the lamp holder, it has particularly elegant proportions. The substantial stepped base provides excellent stability, while its weight of 2.3 kg gives the lamp a reassuring sense of quality when handled.
Corinthian column lamps have an enduring appeal and are incredibly versatile within an interior. This example would work beautifully on a console, writing desk, bedside table, side table or chest, bringing a strong architectural element without becoming overly decorative.
The lamp has passed through the Shackleton Fox workshop for a full assessment and professional rewiring following its historic conversion from oil to electricity. It has been PAT inspected and tested and meets applicable UK electrical standards, ready for use.
Please note that the lampshade shown in the photographs is not included.
The shade featured is our Small Empire Lampshade – Natural with Rosemary Trim, handmade in the UK and available to purchase separately directly from Shackleton Fox. The range is available in five colourways, allowing the lamp to be paired with a shade appropriate to its eventual interior.
A beautifully decorative example of 19th-century lighting adapted for modern use, retaining the architectural elegance of its original form.
Column-form oil lamps became an important element of domestic lighting during the 19th century, when manufacturers frequently drew upon the architecture of Classical Greece and Rome for inspiration.
The Corinthian order was particularly suited to decorative objects. Distinguished by its slender fluted column and elaborate capital of acanthus leaves and scrolling forms, it was traditionally the richest and most ornamental of the Classical architectural orders.
During the Victorian period, these architectural forms were translated into candlesticks, oil lamps, clocks, furniture and other objects intended for increasingly elaborate domestic interiors.
Silver plate provided the appearance and reflective qualities associated with silver while making substantial decorative objects more accessible than equivalent pieces manufactured entirely from sterling silver.
With the spread of domestic electricity during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many earlier oil lamps were subsequently converted to electric lighting. Good examples have continued to be adapted and maintained over successive generations, allowing their decorative bases to remain useful long after their original oil-burning mechanisms became obsolete.
This lamp represents that evolution particularly well: a 19th-century oil lamp now professionally prepared for modern electrical use while retaining its original architectural character.
Late 19th Century
Circa 1880–1900
Originally manufactured as an oil lamp and subsequently converted to electricity.
British
Unknown / Unmarked
No manufacturer's stamp or maker's mark has been identified, and we therefore make no unsupported maker attribution.
Silver-plated metal with modern electrical components.
Featuring a fluted column, cast Corinthian capital with acanthus decoration and substantial graduated square base.
Private collection.
No documentary provenance or original manufacturer's information accompanies the lamp.
We have always loved Corinthian column lamps, and we particularly like examples such as this that started life as oil lamps rather than being later reproductions of the style.
There is something very satisfying about taking a beautifully made piece of 19th-century lighting and allowing it to continue doing exactly what it was originally intended to do, illuminate a room, albeit now safely adapted for modern electrical use.
The proportions of this example are particularly good. The long fluted column gives it elegance and height, while the stepped square base gives the lamp enough architectural weight and presence without making it feel heavy.
We also really like the silver-plated finish. It feels lighter and somewhat more unusual than the brass Corinthian lamps we frequently encounter and works particularly well against the deeply modelled capital.
At 44 cm high before a shade, it is also an extremely useful size.
For our photographs we paired it with our handmade Small Empire Lampshade in Natural with Rosemary Trim, which softens the architectural form beautifully. The shade is available separately, and the same range comes in five colourways so the eventual owner can choose whichever works best within their room.
We could see this sitting very comfortably on a bedside table, writing desk, console or side table in either a traditional country-house interior or a more contemporary room.
A smart and very usable piece of 19th-century lighting with another century of life ahead of it.
Having previously been converted from oil to electricity, the lamp has now passed through the Shackleton Fox workshop for a full assessment.
The electrical installation has been professionally rewired as required using appropriate modern components whilst respecting the character and integrity of the original 19th-century lamp.
It has been fitted with traditional-style black twisted flex to complement its period appearance.
The lamp has been PAT inspected and tested and meets applicable UK electrical standards, ready for use within the United Kingdom.
For destinations outside the UK, electrical requirements vary and appropriate adaptation may be required by a suitably qualified electrician.
Presented in very good antique condition consistent with its late 19th-century date.
The silver-plated surface retains an attractive bright appearance with gentle age-related marks, light scratches, tonal variation and areas of wear consistent with more than a century of use.
Natural darkening remains within areas of the fluted column and intricately modelled Corinthian capital, helping to emphasise the architectural detailing.
As expected, the lamp has undergone historic alteration through its conversion from oil to electricity. This is considered part of the object's working history rather than a condition issue.
The lamp has been sympathetically cleaned and prepared through our workshop without excessive polishing or refinishing.
Please refer to the detailed photographs, which form an integral part of the condition report.
Lampshade not included in the sale price.
The shade photographed is:
Small Empire Lampshade – Natural with Rosemary Trim | Handmade in the UK
Available separately directly from Shackleton Fox.
The collection is available in five colourways.
Height: 44 cm / 17.3 inches
Width: 13 cm / 5.1 inches
Depth: 13 cm / 5.1 inches
Weight: 2.3 kg / 5.1 lbs
Every item offered by Shackleton Fox is carefully inspected, prepared, and where necessary conserved within our workshop prior to sale.
As heritage craftsmen and antique specialists, we believe in preserving the authenticity and integrity of each piece. Original finishes, patina, wear, and signs of age are retained wherever possible, as these elements contribute to both character and historical significance.
When restoration, rewiring, repairs, or conservation work is required, it is undertaken sympathetically using traditional techniques and materials appropriate to the period of the piece. Our philosophy is one of careful stewardship rather than unnecessary restoration, ensuring antiques remain both functional and historically respectful.
The result is a collection of pieces that have been thoughtfully prepared, allowing future owners to enjoy them with confidence while preserving their unique story and character.
