Vintage Bouillotte Style Three-Light Table LampGilt Metal Rocaille Base with Adjustable Red Painted Tôle Shade and Arrow Thumbscrew

In the late eighteenth century, French workshops perfected tôle peinte, painted sheet iron. Thin iron was coated with layers of coloured varnish, each one baked hard, then decorated by hand with gold. The result was tough, heat-resistant and glossy, and it was ideal for lamp shades that sat just above a flame. Deep reds, greens and blacks set off with gilded garlands became the classic colours of the French library lamp.

This bouillotte lamp wears just such a shade. It is a drum of painted tôle in a deep red, banded with fine gold lines and circled by a gilt frieze of roses, scrolling leaves and small sprays. Inside, it is painted cream to reflect the light downward. The shade hangs on a central square rod crowned with a pierced rocaille ring for lifting. It is held at the chosen height by a thumbscrew shaped like a small arrow, so it can be raised or lowered over the lights. Below, three scrolled arms wrapped in acanthus leaves hold flower-shaped drip pans and candle sleeves. The lamp stands on a lobed base cast with shells, scrolls and fluting.

The lamp is in good vintage condition. The painted shade shows a fine network of crackle in the varnish, which comes with age, as pictured. Like every lamp we sell, it is checked in our workshop before it is sent, so it arrives ready to use. It belongs on a writing desk, a library table or a sideboard, with the shade lowered to cast a warm pool of light.

In short, this is a vintage bouillotte style three-light table lamp, with a gilt metal rocaille base, an adjustable red painted tôle shade with a gilt frieze, and an arrow-shaped thumbscrew. It is exactly as pictured.

DETAILS

Material: Gilt metal; red painted tôle shade with gilt decoration
Style-Period: Bouillotte style; vintage
Shipping: Professionally packed, fully insured, worldwide. We handle the paperwork, with all import duties paid by us; nothing to settle on delivery.
Electrical: Fully rewired or checked through our workshop before dispatch, with a plug or adapter fitted for your country; delivered working and ready to use. Three lights.
Condition: Good vintage condition; fine crackle to the varnish of the painted shade.
Lampshade: Fitted with its adjustable red painted tôle shade.
Returns: Accepted within 30 days.

Read our condition standard. Please ask if you need additional photographs or measurements.

A decorative style is not a guarantee of a particular maker or date. See the individual listing for the stated attribution and period.

Worldwide delivery is included in the price. Every piece is individually packed, tracked and fully insured. No shipping charge is added at checkout. If your destination is not listed, please contact us before ordering.

Maison Jaspers pays US tariffs and import duties. For other destinations, local import taxes and duties may apply and are payable by the recipient. Contact us before ordering if you need destination-specific guidance.

Dispatch timing is shown above. Transit time depends on your destination.

Delivery information

Notify us within 30 days of delivery if you wish to return a piece. No reason is required. You pay return shipping for a change-of-mind return.

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