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A WILLIAM IV LACQUERED-BRASS NINE-LIGHT GASOLIER, attributed to WILLIAM COLLINS, circa 1835, of larg

Currency:EUR Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA
A WILLIAM IV LACQUERED-BRASS NINE-LIGHT GASOLIER, attributed to WILLIAM COLLINS, circa 1835, of larg
A WILLIAM IV LACQUERED-BRASS NINE-LIGHT GASOLIER, attributed to WILLIAM COLLINS, circa 1835, of large size, with single chain suspension above a stiff-leaf corona issuing nine berried suspensions on scrolled supports with lotus-leaf arms with two-tier centre of domed ogee-arcaded canopies above a tapering lappeted and berried boss, the later gasolier fitments stamped 'Bray's Patent', minor losses, lacking one scrolled foliate cup
approx 152.5cms diameter.
e50,000/80,000

LITERATURE: E. McParland. 'Lissadell, Co. Sligo', Country Life, 6 October 1977, p.916 (illustrated in situ).
J. O'Brien and D. Guinness, Great Irish Houses and Castles, London, 1992, p.201 (illustrated in situ).
H. Montgomery-Massingberd and C. Simon Sykes, Great Houses of Ireland, London, 1999, p.191 (illustrated in situ).
J.Gore-Booth, 'Lissadell', Irish Arts Review, Summer 2003, p.115 ( illustrated in situ)
Sean O'Reilly, 'Lissadell, Co Sligo', Country Life, 25 September, 2003, p.112 (illustrated in situ)

Lissadell was the first house in Ireland to be lit by gas and the remarkable suite of 'Grecian' gasoliers that were acquired for the Gallery, Ante Room, Bow Room, Dining Room and Staircase Hall during the 1830's were all almost certainly executed by the same firm (see lots 114, 136, 187, 229, 426 and 435).
These magnificent gasoliers do not, however, appear in Francis Goodwin's watercolour view of the Gallery published
as the Frontispiece of his Domestic Architecture, 1833-34, so these - and indeed all of the Lissadell gasolier/chandeliers
- must have been introduced sometime thereafter.

Displaying an almost signature 'matt' Grecian gilding, the most likely author for the group is William Collins, one of
the most ambitious chandelier and lamp-makers of the Regency period. Established at 227 The Strand between 1808-1852 and frequently working to designs by the architect J.B. Papworth, Collins supplied chandeliers and light-fittings to the Court and aristocracy, arguably his most expensive commissions being those supplied to the Duke of Northumberland:- '1823 May '23 4 Superb Chandeliers executed in Grecian Metal in the Drawing Room, Saloon, Anti Room and Grand
Staircase 2700.0.0.' (Northumberland Archives at Alnwick Castle (U.111.8d). This enormous sum probably reflects the
considerable expenditure Sir Robert on the Lissadell gasoliers.

The distinctive chains of berried laurel are exceptionally unusual both in terms of design and scale and may well be unique to the Lissadell commission. However, related ornament appears on the central stem of a monumental chandelier attributed to William Collins, sold at Christie's London, 19 November 1992, lot 7, as well as on a chandelier from the
Ballroom of Dromana, Co. Waterford, Ireland (sold anonymously at Christie's London, 7 July 1988, lot 39).

The invention of 'Improved Oil Lighting' was the brainchild of the Swiss chemist Ami Argand in 1783. This new system, whereby a cotton wick drew colza oil from a reservoir between two concentric tubes with a glass chimney to increase upward draught, transformed domestic lighting. The monumental proportions of the Lissadell chandeliers are, however, exceptionally rare in Colza oil chandeliers.