A pair of patinated and gilded bronze columnar Carcel lamps

A fine pair of Restauration ormolu and patinated bronze Carcel lamps
Gilded bronze, patinated bronze, glass

In the shape of fluted columns adorned with openwork Corinthian capitals, surmonted by their original frosted glass globes
Paris by1830.

Electrified.

Height under the globe: 57 cm / Total height: 88 cm.


Patented by the clockmaker Guillaume Carcel in October 1800, the Carcel lamps were originally equipped with a clockwork mechanism located in the base, which, coupled with a pump, was responsible for directly sending the burning oil to the burner. The early models were wound up from underneath the base, and from 1810 onwards, the winding square was located on the side, as it was the case with our lamps. Precious and expensive, these mechanical lamps were manufactured by various Parisian establishments, such as Carcel, Gagneau, Gotten, to name a few.


In a classic format in accordance with the lamps invented by Guillaume Carcel, these lamps distinguish themselves, however, with their exceptional quality, particularly in the richness and intricacy of their openwork capitals adorned with highly raised acanthus leaves.

For Carcel lamps featuring identical capitals, please refer to:

- Pierre Bergé & Associés, collection Le Diberder, Drouot Paris le 14/10/2016, n°49

- Christie's Paris, collection Steinitz le 14/11/2007, n°83