Imposing Late Victorian Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp, c. 1880

A Neoclassical Revival Statement Piece

We are delighted to offer this truly exceptional and substantial Late Victorian Brass Corinthian Column Table Lamp, dating to the final quarter of the 19th century, circa 1880.

This piece is a magnificent example of the era’s enthusiasm for Neoclassical Revival design, drawing direct inspiration from the grandeur and architectural authority of ancient Greece and Rome.

The lamp's form is derived from the classical Corinthian Order, known for its ornate and highly decorative capital. The finely cast brass capital displays superb detail, featuring the characteristic scrolling volutes and exquisitely rendered acanthus leaves, showcasing the high quality of Victorian metalwork. The sturdy, heavy column is beautifully fluted, providing a pleasing vertical visual rhythm and a sense of architectural permanence. It rests upon a weighty, stepped square plinth base which offers excellent stability and contributes to the lamp’s commanding presence.

This lamp was originally manufactured as an oil lamp base and has since been professionally converted and wired for modern electricity. This careful adaptation ensures the piece is both historically significant and entirely functional for the contemporary home.

The column form, especially the Corinthian style, became immensely popular during the Victorian period (1837-1901) for items destined for the fashionable drawing rooms and libraries of the wealthy. These lamps were designed to project an air of refinement, stability, and intellectual taste. The impressive scale and weight suggest it was made by a premier Birmingham or London foundry, often adapting classical designs found in pattern books of the time. This particular example, with its excellent proportions and evident weight, represents a high-quality commission.

Condition Report

This lamp is presented in good antique condition, displaying the desirable signs of age and patina expected in a fine piece of late 19th-century brassware.

The brass retains a rich patina consistent with its age and careful domestic use over more than a century. The intricate, finely cast details of the Corinthian capital are crisp and well-defined,

The fluted column is structurally sound and stable. Please note a historical hairline split runs vertically down the back of the column. This is a occurrence in solid drawn brass columns of this age, caused by stress or casting imperfections. Crucially, this split is superficial, does not run the full length of the column, is positioned discretely at the back, and does not compromise the structural integrity of the lamp, which remains sturdy and robust.

The lamp has been professionally and recently converted from its original oil lamp form and fully rewired to current UK safety standards. It is fitted with a period-style braided cable and has been PAT tested and inspected, ensuring it is safe, ready for immediate use, and compliant.

Measurement

Height:        55 cm   /     21.7 inches

Width:         17 cm   /     6.7 inches

Depth:         17 cm   /     6.7 inches

Weight:       4.8 k.g   /    10.6 lbs