A pair of vintage French Silver plated three light bouillotte antique lamps

A pair of vintage French Silver plated three light bouillotte lamps in the Louis XV1 th manner, the adjustable tole shades being decorated with Napoleonic bees and a running band of laurel leaves The 18th century introduced the ''Age of Enlightenment'', and continued the Industrial Revolution. Electroplating of silver onto base metals, usually brass, copper or bronze enabled the precious silver to give the appearance of, without the cost of using quantities of the precious metal. This method was widely used in Europe, especially France and England. In Europe particularly, the latter part of the century had as its decorative leitmotif Neo-Classicism, after the revival of artistic re-appraisal of Greek and Roman architecture, literature, and furnishings, introducing a new and refined style, as seen in these 'bouillotte' lamps, which uses Grecian urns as finials, '"S' scrolled arms, fluted columns, and loving, providing an effect of gracious elegance in an interior. The mores of the monied classes required abilities in social intercourse, to include the art of conversation, polite flirting, dancing, knowledge of the arts and literature, and, gambling, especially cards. One of the card games was 'Bouillotte', and, as a gambling game, was indulged in for hours; 'Bouillotte' lamps were introduced, having adjustable shades, which could be lowered when the candles burnt down, the metal tole shades were polished to augment the light. The shades on our lamps have bees, symbolic of industry and wealth, and laurel leaves, symbolic of Victory in pre-Christian Greece, and, since. George Washington, King George, and Napoleon were all painted wearing the ' Victor's Laurel Crown'.

• SKU: LTEU0001401
• Origin: France
• Category: European Lamps
• Height (Base to Shade Carrier): 34cm x 71cm (13" x 28" inches)
• Weight: 3.3kg each lamp