Table lamp - Gilt bronze

Bouillotte Table Lamp, Directory, gilded bronze, 19th c. – France

Style: Directoire
Material: Gilded bronze
Period: First half of the 19th century
Country of origin: France
Good condition for its age and use
Functional / New sockets
Dimensions: 52.5 x 35.5 x 19 cm.

Elegant French table lamp, a type known as a bouillotte lamp. Made in gilded bronze, with two arms in the shape of a volute and a sheet metal shade in a deep green with a fine gilded edge. The adjustable arrow finial is a classic reference of the bouillotte.

A Bouillotte lamp is a table lighting fixture originally designed in the 18th century (circa 1770), towards the end of Louis XV’s reign, to illuminate gaming tables, specifically for the card game of the same name, Bouillotte.

It is distinguished by an adjustable shade that slides vertically along a central axis, made of painted or lacquered metal, known as tinplate (tôle), usually green or red. Its main function was to provide a soft, focused light on the gaming surface without glare for the players. The base is usually a deep brass or bronze tray originally designed to hold the game counters and cards. Although it originated in the 18th century, it reached peak popularity in the 19th century and during the Empire period, becoming an iconic piece of the French aristocracy. Historical figures such as Napoleon I were depicted using them in their salons.

The lampshades have been updated with new sockets and the lamp is wired, making it a fully functional table lamp while retaining its classic aesthetic.

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