Smith & Singer
Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design
81
PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION, MELBOURNE

A Pairpoint 'Apple Tree' reverse painted glass and patinated metal table lamp circa 1910

(2)

Estimate $20,000 – $30,000

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PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION, MELBOURNE

the puffy shade moulded in high relief to depict bumble bees and butterflies fluttering over fruiting branches laden with luscious apples, delicate blossoms and foliage, the interior finely painted in brilliant shades of emerald green, teal blue, spring green, orange, yellow, cobalt blue, sienna and white, the base cast in the form of a gnarled tree trunk

engraved 'THE PAIRPOINT CORP' to shade; stamped 'PAIRPOINT MFG CO / P / 3091' to base

(2)
53.3 cm high; 33.6 cm diameter

  • Lot Sold $20,000 (Hammer Price)
  • $24,400 (Hammer Price with Buyer's Premium)

Provenance

Weinstein Gallery, New York
Twentieth Century Decorative Arts, Christie's, New York, 1 October 2002, lot 287
Private Collection, Melbourne

Literature

Edward and Sheila Malakoff, Pairpoint,, Schiffer Publishing Ltd, Pennsylvania, 1990, p.14 (illustrated, another example), 15 (illustrated, another example), cover (illustrated, another example)

Show Catalogue Notes

Catalogue Notes

In the early part of the twentieth century, the Pairpoint Coporation in Massachusetts made an important American contribution to the decorative arts during the Art Nouveau movement, with the introduction of their mold-blown, reverse-painted lamps. These visually stunning works of art defy their true function, which was further enhanced at the time with the invention of the electric light globe.

The Pairpoint Corporation produced numerous lamp shades of parchment, metal, cut and blown glass, and bases from bronze, silver plate, brass, copper, glass and mahogany. By far the most popular were the mold-blown glass lamps, of which the current 'Puffy Apple Tree' is a fine and rare example. Every glass shade was frosted before hand-painting on the inside and this reverse-painting technique has ensured that the original colours have been retained to the present day.

The warm colours and raised forms of the Apple Tree lamp bring to life the ripening fruits, apple blossoms, butterflies and bees, with the organic movement and love for the beauty of nature celebrated during the Art Nouveau period.

The 'puffies' were never signed by an artist as they were the work of more than one person, but every shade was engraved to the rim with the marks of the Pairpoint Corporation. The bases are also stamped with the makers marks and the corresponding model numbers.

Harley Young

CONTACT INFORMATION +

Alison Alford

Consultant

Arts & Design
Sydney
T: +61 (0)2 9302 2402
E: Alison Alford

Ann Roberts

Consultant, Asian Art

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Ann Roberts

Harley Young

Harley Young

Specialist

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
E: Harley Young

Anthony Hurl

Consultant

Arts & Design
Adelaide
T: +61 (0)8 7225 7836
E: Anthony Hurl

Philip A. Gore

Consultant, Clocks, Barometers & Scientific Instruments

Arts & Design
Melbourne
T: +61 (0)3 9508 9900
Fine Asian, Australian & European Arts & Design

AU0791  |  29 Oct 2014  |  Melbourne
5.30 PM


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