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Posted 21 months, 14 days ago
KCNJ
(1 item)
IMHO This is a very unusual item - I've never seen anything like it. This belonged to my father's uncle and I suspect it dates from the 1940s.
It is 5 inches by 5 inches by 4.5 inches high. I believe it is nickel plated brass. The small removable lantern inside still has a wick in it. I would guess that it burned kerosene or lamp oil.
The sides have removable glass panels. There are 4 red glass ones with an 8-point 'star' or flower pattern in them. It also includes three clear panels made of a greenish glass.
There are also 2 translucent decorative panels of a white glass or ceramic material. These have wonderful little three dimensional mountain scenes that light up when lit from behind. One is marked "Rolandseck", so I believe the lantern may have been made in Germany.
In addition to elaborate metal work, each corner has a detailed lion's head. The mouth has a hole (persumably a string or cord could be put through there to support the lamp when hung?). The four legs have neat lion's claw feet.
There are no manufacturing marks or dates on it, so I'm wondering if anyone could identify a manufacturer or provide a date for it.
http://www.fairy-lamp.com/Fairylamp/ArticleBlairMuseumLithophanes_AJ1966.html
This is a lithophane lamp.
Wow. Neat...this must be a bit older than I thought.
I think so. Look on the knob that controls the wick to see if there is any writing. Also you might email the museum with pictures. Let us know what you learn.
Yes I emailed the Museum and the curator told me that it is a 19th century German food warmer (not a lantern!). The lithophane panels were produced by Plaue Porzellan Manufaktur in Thuringia.
Very. Very cool...Mark it solved !
...and did they give you an age for this food warmer ?
She said it is 19th century - I may have to get a copy of her book to see if I can narrow it down a little. I would guess late 19th century.