The fine alabaster lamp is crafted as though carved from a single marble pillar, referencing Italian excellence in sculpted works. The lamp is surmounted with a translucent semi-sphere, which contains the light fittings, and is banded with an engraved frieze of lions on a washed, marbled ground. The alabaster affords the light fittings a warm, glowing appearance.
The semi-sphere is set onto a central support which is decorated with vines and leaves, around which two charming winged putti are entwined as they reach upwards. The putti stand on a naturalistic surface set onto the scrolled tri-form base, which features paw feet and is set all around with fruit. The base is further set upon a veined, red marble plinth, which accentuates the pure translucency of the alabaster. The alabaster base is signed above the plinth by the maker 'P. Conti. C / Firenze'.
Details
Artist / Maker
By Conti, P. (Italian, active late 19th/early 20th Century)