A highly decorative and imposing Late 19th Century Antique English Victorian Silver Plated Oil Lamp, the three appendant figures reminiscent of the Three Graces, the superb quality cut glass font fitted with a Hinks No. 2 Lever Rise and Fall twist on Burner, the wick winder button fully marked. We are of the opinion that this lovely old piece did not in fact start life as an oil lamp, but rather that the base and column probably formed part of one of a pair of epergnes. This in part because the three detachable figures are stamped 4, 5 and 6, suggesting that there must at one time have existed figures 1, 2 and 3, which presumably were fitted to a complementary piece. We wonder if perhaps the epergne had held a glass tray, which had at some time been broken, and whether this possibly had given birth to the idea of turning the piece into a lamp. Whatever the truth of the matter, as a decorative object, it certainly makes a statement and is likely to appeal to the Interior Decorator of taste and discernment. Offered here with a fine Victorian cranberry glass shade of the period, the chimney as one would expect, a modern replacement.
