Pair of St. Francis Hotel Wrought Iron "Diana the Huntress" Floor Lamps, 1920

Description

A pair of striking and unique circa 1920 tall Art Deco wrought iron and metal “Diana the Huntress”-themed floor lamps … more A pair of striking and unique circa 1920 tall Art Deco wrought iron and metal “Diana the Huntress”-themed floor lamps from the famous and prestigious St. Francis Hotel in downtown San Francisco.

Lively cut metal silhouette depicts Diana—storied Roman goddess of the hunt, countryside, fertility, and childbirth—with bow drawn as she leaps gracefully alongside one of her lithe & loyal hunting dogs, Syrius or Phocion. They’re balanced on an arrow piercing a crescent moon, with a pull chain socket above a flame-like surround at the other end. Below are wonderful wrought iron scroll work flourishes and embellishments that add elegant flair to the Art Deco aesthetic.

The entire captivating assemblage can be raised, lowered, and rotated, though since it’s only held in position by friction against the pole, seems most at home as pictured. However, we imagine that a simple way to secure it at different heights could be fairly easily devised by its future owner.

Very handsome and architectural tripod base calls to mind the steel buildings and bridges being erected around the city at the time. It features a riveted medallion on top, scalloped eaves, and gracefully curved wrought iron legs and feet.

Finished top-to-bottom in a satin black finish, most of which appears to be original. Believed to be bespoke pieces and thus quite rare, they were acquired from the St. Francis as the result of recent renovations happening at the hotel.

Built in 1904 on Union Square in San Francisco, the St. Francis (now known as the Westin St. Francis) immediately became one of the city’s most prestigious addresses. The hotel survived the 1906 earthquake with little damage, but was gutted by the subsequent miles-wide fire that followed. Reconstruction began almost immediately, and the St. Francis would soon resume its role as a crown jewel of downtown, welcoming a parade of the most famous & important guests—musicians, movie stars, artists, presidents, royalty—that each decade has had to offer.

Dimensions listed are as pictured in the primary image. Pole is 68.38 inches tall. Base is 18.75 inches from tip-to-tip of each foot. less