Oil lamp, cast and engraved bronze

Lamps of this type – with a long, open spout for oil and a wick, an upright reflector, an almost bottle-shaped, plump body, and a handle – are found in many designs, from quite simple to more elaborate.

This piece clearly belongs to the latter group, with a rich decoration consisting of punched leaf borders, quails, and inscriptions expressing good wishes. The most distinctive feature, however, is the handle, shaped like a supple lion, which rests its front paws on the neck of the lamp while its hind legs end in a palmette on the body. The animal, which has an elegantly engraved mane, has lost its ears and the tip of its tail. The lid is contemporary, but might have come from a different piece.