19th Century Spelter Bust Candelabra Lamps with Glass Shades

A pair of spelter bust candelabra lamps, 19th century, the…
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A pair of spelter bust candelabra lamps, 19th century, the square bases surmounted with plinths supporting outswept arms with leaf sconces centering the busts of a lady and gentleman, each with a frosted pink glass rose shade above their head, converted for electricity. Height 75 cm, width 35 cm, depth 30 cm

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  • Spelter - Spelter was the name given to an alloy of zinc and brass or copper used in the 19th century for statuary and lighting. It is a brittle bluish-white metal. It was used as a cheap replacement for bronze, but being brittle easily breaks and can't be repaired. When finished it can often be mistaken for bronze, but if discreet a scratch on the base displays shows a greyish colour, the metal is spelter, if a golden colour the metal is most likely bronze.
  • Sconce - A light attached to a wall. Originally a candle holder that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket and sometimes with a reflective back plate, but now applied to an electric light that has been inspired by that design.

    In recent times the word has also come into use to desribe the candle holders on a candelabra.

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