Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps

Pair of French Carcel Polished Bronze Table Lamps

A superb pair of early nineteenth-century table lamps exemplifying refined French design and innovation. These striking Carcel lamps blend neoclassical elegance with remarkable mechanical ingenuity, encapsulating the sophisticated decorative arts of pre-Victorian France.

Origin: France, attributed to Bernard Guillaume Carcel
Date: Circa 1840
Material: Polished and lacquered bronze

Dimensions: Height to top of column: 67 cm (26.4 in); Width: 19 cm (7.5 in); Depth: 19 cm (7.5 in)

Condition: Excellent patina; minor restorations; original mechanisms retained

These table lamps are distinguished by their direct association with Bernard Guillaume Carcel, the pioneering lamp inventor whose innovative oil pump revolutionised interior lighting in the nineteenth century. Comparable examples reside within notable French collections and museums, recognised for their technical advancement and distinctive ornamentation. The harmonious proportions and classical motifs of these lamps are emblematic of the era’s decorative sensibilities.

Notable Features:

• Exceptional Craftsmanship: Finely cast in polished bronze, the lamps feature acanthus scrolled collars, Corinthian fluted central columns, and striking lion mask embellishments resting upon paw feet.
• Design Significance: These French lamps express neoclassical influences, visible in their architectural fluting and ornamental detailing, lending a sense of grandeur and period-authenticity to any interior.
• Collecting Value: Rarely does a matching pair remain intact, particularly with the original Carcel oil pump mechanism in situ, making these lamps highly desirable for discerning collectors and connoisseurs of nineteenth-century lighting design.
• Practical Value: Currently wired for modern use to your regional specifications, these table lamps offer both functional elegance and a sophisticated historical focal point, suitable for display on side tables, desks, or as a collection centrepiece.

A rare opportunity to acquire a pair of Carcel lamps that balance exceptional beauty with historical and mechanical intrigue, elevating any interior with authentic period style.