Name of Object:

Lamp

Location:

Athens, Greece

Holding Institution:

Benaki Museum

 About Benaki Museum, Athens

Date of Object:

19th century

Inventory Number:

34014

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Silver

Dimensions:

23 cm

Description:

The lamp has a rounded, pierced body covered in foliate scroll with acorns and ribbons that form interlocking circles. The tall, convex neck is decorated with large acanthus leaves with wind-blown tips. From the base hangs a tassel made up of chains attached to Ottoman coins. The three suspension chains are attached to cast caryatids in softly pleated drapery holding plinths on their heads. The influence of Neoclassicism is obvious in the shaping of the neck, which is reminiscent of a vase, and in the use of caryatids instead of the angels which usually decorate lamps. The acanthus, though another Neoclassical motif, is used here with the naturalism and movement characteristic of Venetian lamps of the previous century (cat. no. 71). The lip is stamped with a semi- obliterated tugra.

Type of Object

Metalwork

Citation of this web page:

Ballian 1992, 80, no. 41 "Lamp" in "Sharing History", Museum With No Frontiers, 2026.
https://sharinghistory.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;AWE;gr;8;en

Prepared by: Ballian 1992, 80, no. 41

MWNF Working Number: GR 008