Wall lamp

S 2984 MŁ – Sconce, one of four identical items in the collection of the museum. A sconce is a lamp or candleholder, most commonly wall-mounted, frequently with a glass or metal mirror to reflect the light. Initially, sconces were standing lamps, most commonly used until kerosene lamps were introduced. A characteristic trait of theirs was the placement of the burner beside the oil container, and not on top of it. In the 1780s, hanging sconces were used, which quickly became a commonplace decorative interior design feature. The discussed sconce is one of four in neoclassical style, electrified, from the second half of the 19th century, electrified during the refurbishment of the castle between the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century, under the direction of Armand Bauque and Albert Pio. The stem of the sconce, in the form of a folded piece of cloth, from the top fixed to a round decorative grip, tied in the middle with a crossed ribbon, ending below with two fringes. From the crossed band there protrude two arms in the form of bows, with decorative bobeches in the shape of flat flowers, from which glass sleeves protrude (painted white; below they enter grips in the form of tulips composed of acanthus leaves), to hold candle-like light bulbs. The light bulbs emit light through a tungsten filament that is heated (due to the flow of electricity). Despite the presently broad use of light bulbs, they are not as efficient a light source as one could believe, because only about 5% of the energy (current flow through the filament) is expelled as light, and 95% is emitted as heat. Lampshades made of two pieces of silk bordered with crepe paper, on wire frames, are fixed to the sleeves. In addition, the sconce arms are decorated with meandering ribbons. The sconces are made of gilded bronze, using the technique of precision finished casting.