Empire Carcel Lamps

France
Circa 1815

Extremely fine, these carcel lamps with amphoric bases are of a form most often associated with the best early sinumbras. In patinated and ormolu finish, these retain the complete and original clockwork pump systems, tole interior tanks, and burner mechanisms. According to Bourne and Brett, In 1800 Bernard-Guillaume Carcel invented a clockwork mechanism to raise the oil to the wick, no longer necessitating the reservoir to be higher than the wick.

Reference: Bourne, Jonathan and Vanessa Brett. Lighting in the Domestic Interior: Renaissance to Art Nouveau. London, England: Sotheby’s Publications, 1991. Page 138.

Bronze, brass, and glass
Height: 36¾”
D306
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