Urn Lamp with Classical Jasper Decoration

Object Name: 
Urn Lamp with Classical Jasper Decoration

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Object Name: 
Urn Lamp with Classical Jasper Decoration
Accession Number: 
2009.4.339
Dimensions: 
Overall H: 45 cm, Diam (max): 31.6 cm
Location: 
Not on Display
Date: 
1910-1914
Credit Line: 
Purchased with funds from the Mrs. Jason Westerfield Estate, by exchange
Web Description: 
In 1894, the Pairpoint Manufacturing Company of New Bedford, a metal-making firm, merged with the Mt. Washington Glass Company, which had been founded in South Boston about 1837. The resulting Pairpoint Corporation produced many types of electric lamps from 1907, when it received a patent for a new method of manufacturing molded shades, through the 1930s. Most of these lamps had hand-painted shades and cast metal bases that were also made by Pairpoint. This urn lamp has an unusual shape, and not many examples were made. The white enamel decoration on the body shows a woman’s face as well as flowers and garlands. Similar decoration appears on the lid, which is pierced so that the heat from the three bulbs inside can escape. The lamp, which is signed “The Pairpoint Corp’n” on the inside of the lid, must have provided a pleasant glow rather than an abundant amount of light, and thus it was more decorative than useful. The date of the object is uncertain, but the style of the decoration suggests that it was made in the early 1920s. For more information, see Judith Navas Lund, “Pairpoint Lamps from New Bedford, Massachusetts,” The Magazine Antiques, v. 153, no. 4, April 1998, pp. 592–601 (an electric urn lamp similar to the Corning example is shown on page 601, plate XX).
Department: 
Provenance: 
James D. Julia, Inc., Source
2009-11-23
Material: 
Inscription: 
The Pairpoint Corp
signature
Stamped in gold Underside of lid (b) near edge
PAIRPOINT MFG CO / P {within a diamond shape} / C3074 / Made In USA
signature
Stamped bottom of metal base (a)
Primary Description: 
Colorless glass with applied pink enamel; mold-blown, enameled; acid-etched; metal base and electric cord and fixture; assembled. Urn is colored with a wash of pink and white enamel on the interior and the overall decoration consists of enameled faces, floral pattern and garlands. Base of urn/lamp (a) is round metal stepped foot with four pierced feet. Metal stem attaches to hemispherical base of urn with ribbed metal rim. Lid of urn/lamp (b) is a slightly domed with decorative metal finial.
Venue(s)
Corning Museum of Glass 2011-05-19 through 2011-12-31
Changing Exhibitions Gallery