19th Century Empire Bouillotte Lamp
Price:42000 SEK3738 EUR4032 USDChange Currency
Dimensions: Height 86 cm (34 inches) x Width 51 cm (21 inches)
A very large and impressive empire gilt and patinated bronze table bouillotte or candelabra lamp. A green painted and gilt metal lamp shade with gilt bronze mounts of medusa heads and laurel-crowns. The shade is mounted on a square steel rod and adjustable in height with an arrow shaped gilt pin screw. Three gilt bronze arms with three single candleholders is mounted on the central gilt and patinated bronze stem and below the arms are three gilt finely executed vestals mounted. The gilt bronze candelabra is finely cast and chiseled and of unusual quality. Made in Paris ca.1810-1820.
Presently with candle lights and without electric fitting. We can have electric light bulbs fitted if wished for.
Vestals:
One of temples on the Forum Romanum in Rome is the Temple of Vesta, the goddess of the hearth, the home and domestic life. The Vestal Virgins were the priestesses to this Roman goddess Vesta who was one of the most important gods to the Romans and she protected the city from any harm. In this temple a sacred fire was lit to honour Vesta. This fire was to be kept lit until the end of time, or else the Empire would fall.
It was the task of the Vestal Virgins to keep this fire lit forever. The college of the Vestals was regarded as fundamental to the continuance and security of Rome. The Vestals cultivated the sacred fire that was not allowed to go out. Vestals were freed of the usual social obligations to marry and bear children and took a 30-year vow of chastity in order to devote themselves to the study and correct observance of the rituals.
Medusa:
In Greek mythology, she was the most famous of the monster figures known as Gorgons. She was usually represented as a winged female creature having a head of hair consisting of snakes; unlike the Gorgons, she was sometimes represented as very beautiful. Medusa was the only Gorgon who was mortal; hence her slayer, Perseus, was able to kill her by cutting off her head. The severed head, which had the power of turning into stone all who looked upon it, was given to Athena, who placed it in her shield.