1890`s Antique Aesthetic Movement Candlestick Table Lamps Spider Web & Medusa, Porcelain & Bronze by Townshend & Co, Signed - a Pair, English, Rewired

Description

Antique Aesthetic Movement pair candlestick table lamps, spider web with sunflowers & Medusa motifs, in porcelain & bronze by Townshend … more Antique Aesthetic Movement pair candlestick table lamps, spider web with sunflowers & Medusa motifs, in porcelain & bronze by Townshend & Co, signed, 1890`s ca, English.

This pair of antique lamps have been gently cleaned while respecting the aged patina. They are newly rewired, earthed, PAT tested by an electrician and ready to use. Each has the following new components: lamp holder with a cream card cover, gold silk cable, black cord switch, black plug (UK Plug up to 250V) & clip on silk lampshade. Lightbulbs included. These lamps can be used with a dimmer. It is possible to use these lights in other countries with a light bulb suitable to local electricity.

Presented here is a very fine & unusual pair of antique 19th Century candlesticks made in the Aesthetic Movement style which flourished in England between 1860-1900, converted into lamps.

The sophisticated design was intended to bring beauty to everyday objects, escaping the ugliness & materialism of the Industrial Age. The contrast between traditional & geometric motifs, and use of Victorian Era symbolisms make these lamps a good example of The Aesthetic Movement Style.

Both lamps are signed, stamped at the bottom of the base: "TOWNSHEND & CO, Reg N. 2376".

Aesthetic artists drew inspiration from various cultures & periods, in this example from The Victorian Era symbolic use of nature & insects: sunflowers & the spider web, together with ancient Greek Mythological symbols: Medusa.

The Victorian era was completely surrounded by symbolism, the spider was associated with good luck, wisdom & creative power. A prominent design motif of both the Aesthetic & Arts & Crafts Movements, along with the crane & dragonfly, all indicating also the influence of Japanese culture.

In mythology Medusa was a beautiful woman killed and beheaded by the gods. In the face of tragedy, she was portrayed as meaningful. Soon after her head was removed, a Pegasus flew out of her body, representing the birth of beauty. The popular interpretation of Medusa suggests she is an apotropaic symbol used to protect from and ward off the negative.

The sunflower symbolizes lasting happiness & adoration, but furthermore something that is much bigger & brighter than themselves.

This rich eclecticism is one of the Aesthetic Movement`s most intriguing characteristics making this lamps well suited for Interiors today.

The sculptural form, theme & delicate size make these lamps well proportioned for a shelf, bedside or mantelpiece. They would suit a range of interiors such as Antique, Art Deco, Traditional, Country, Hollywood Regency, or Contemporary.

The design of each candlestick is luxurious & full of exquisite details, made of fine porcelain & quality cast polished bronze.

The square base is in bronze, pierced with Medusa & Neoclassical motifs, depicting a circle within a square with raised decorated angles. Engraved with great attention to detail & finished by hand, resulting in small variations in design & proportions, all signs of authentic 19th Century antique pieces. At the bottom of each base there are 4 brass turned bun feet.

On top of the base there is the well with polished bronze acanthus leaf decoration & a brass knop that becomes the base of the main column which is in a fine striking cobalt blue porcelain with hand painted decorations in gold: a spider web, spider and various branches with leaves. The porcelain column in the shape of an urn, leading to the brass drip pan with scalloped edge & bobeche with sunflowers decoration. On top sits a new lamp holder covered by a new cream card candle tube.

Both lamps are finished with new clip-on black silk lampshade lined metallic gold. This complements the tones of the base.
These lampshades are included in the price.

Each lamp carries 1 standard small screw light bulb (E14) up to 40 Watts. At present they are fitted & photographed with new LED dimmable Candle Clear shaped light bulbs of 40 Watts. These are included in the price.

These antique lamps are in very good condition for their age. The antique patina has been preserved. The frames are sound with no damages, missing or broken parts. The metal surfaces overall are in very good condition. There are minor subtle superficial marks & rubbing, this effect is mostly uniform adding character & depth, in line with age. The porcelain is in very good condition with no cracks or chips. The lampshades are new and in very good condition.

Additional dimensions:

The total Height with the shade on is: 34 cm.

The base alone (without the lampshade) is: Height: 24.5 cm, Width: 11 cm, Depth: 11 cm.

The lampshade alone is: Height: 9.5 cm, Diameter at the bottom: 14 cm, Diameter at the top: 7 cm.

Packing is offered free of charge. We take special professional care while packing. For safe transport the bases & lampshades would be wrapped separately in bubble wrap, foam and an outer layer of card. Together these parts would easily fit into a box with loose fill packing nuts, safe for posting with a courier. We ship with reliable couriers (signed for, tracked & insured).

TOWNSHENDS LTD ART METAL Co. ENGLAND HISTORY

Townshend and Thompson of Birmingham were brass founders during the 1880`s and the forerunner of Townshend and Company. It was a quality foundry of copper, brass & bronze art metalware such as holloware and tableware for up-market retailers. After WWI the Company shift to the production of industrial heaters.

AESTHETIC MOVEMENT HISTORY

The Aesthetic Movement originated in Britain, covered the period of 1860 to 1900. Artists designed to escape the Industrial Revolution Age, by concentrating instead on producing art that was beautiful rather than having a deeper meaning: `Art for Art`s sake`. These new bohemian Aesthetic artists included Dante Gabriel Rossetti, William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones, Christopher Dresser & Frederic Leighton.

In France it was also called "The Decadent Movement". The term “decadence” often referring to a prolonged state of cultural, societal & moral decline, describing a set of anti Romantic approaches that diminished the natural and moral encouraging the unnatural, the grotesque, and the taboo.

The Aesthetic Movement initiated extensive artistic & design changes. Its eclecticism, modern concepts of middle-class lifestyle and domestic environment prepared the way for the art movements of the 20th century, resonating even into our own time.

TAXES & DUTIES

Please note that the shipping cost advertised here also includes all destination import duties & local taxes as required by Chairish, so we will ship from the United Kingdom to USA this item DTP (Duties & Taxes Paid). less