LARGE PAIR OF RESTORATION-ERA CARCEL LAMPS

Pair of Carcel lamps in bronze and glass, Restoration period. The partially patinated and fluted shafts are adorned with acanthus leaves in chased and gilded bronze. It stands on a small leafy base and square pedestal, decorated with alternating crowns and swan-headed lyres holding garlands. It is edged with a wide frieze of heart-shaped stripes. The sandblasted glass globes are engraved with floral motifs. This model of lamp was invented in 1800 by Guillaume Carcel (1750-1812), a watchmaker in Paris. The Carcel lamp - for which its inventor was awarded a prize by the Académie des Sciences in 1854 - features a clockwork movement for raising the oil. The mechanism consists of a pump driven by a spring motor, which is wound up with a key. This mechanism, located at the bottom of the lamp, enabled the oil contained in the reservoir to be constantly pumped up to the wick. This continuous flow of liquid had several advantages: firstly, it prevented the wick from charring and going out; secondly, it prevented the oil from heating up and vaporizing; thirdly, with the new system, lamps no longer gave off smoke and unpleasant odors. The discovery of the Carcel lamp marked a fundamental advance in the history of lighting and revolutionized the oil lamp. Restoration period, Circa: 1820 Dim: W:21cm, D:21cm, H:82cm. In good overall condition, with a few scratches, stains and wear. They have been electrified and are in working order.