A rare find...a charming fine porcelain hand painted Pierrot lamp manufactured by
Carl Schneider. It is marked with the impressed logo as detailed above, which was
used since the 1870’s, however beginning in the 1890’s import laws required the addition
of country of origin information and since the lamp also bears the Germany mark we
know it was manufactured after 1890. Due to manner of construction, hardware, style
and huge popularity of Pierrot and Pierrette products during the 1920’s and 1930’s,
we believe it likely the lamp was manufactured during that Flapper Art Deco period.
Dressed
in traditional black and white, with lavender socks, brown hair and exquisite face,
this fine Pierrot features the high quality porcelain, finely detailed hand painting
and interesting design that Schneider is famous for.
The lamp base is further decorated
with green and pink garland swags. Gold accents highlight the Greek Key motif at
lower base edge, as well as the fancy detail at column top.
The lamp is in very nice
vintage estate condition. It appears to have been rewired. Judging by the type
of cord and vintage bakelite (or similar) electrical plug we estimate this was done
in the 40’s or 50’s. We plugged the lamp in and it does work just fine. Socket
hardware is firmly attached and switch operates well.
The hand painted detail remains
quite nice, with some appropriate/expected age related wear to the gold at base and
column top, as well as the black highlights to Pierrot’s costume at cuff and collar.
Happily the lovely face detail remains wonderfully intact. See close up in third
image; please note that speck under Pierrots’s lip and smudge next to hair and on
collar were dust not noted prior to photographing and subsequently completely removed
with a soft cloth.
We find no cracks, breaks, etc., however there are two very small,
apx 2mm flecks to bottom (underneath) at base edge. See sixth image, apx 4:00 and
8:00 positions.
The lamp shade is cream silk and attaches to the bulb.
It is an older,
extremely well made, lined vintage shade that was with the lamp we we purchased it,
but it seems a little short to me. I think a slightly longer one would look better,
but we will include it so new owner can make their own decision. As is not uncommon
with old silk shades there is a small tear, as well as a separation at a seam, however
this is to the interior silk lining only and does not show at all once shade is in
place. Exterior pleated silk is very nice, with just a few slight wrinkles/puckers
from storage.
The matching counterpart lamp, featuring the female Pierrette that was
apparently originally a mate to this Pierrot lamp, is shown on page 578 of The Collector’s
Encyclopedia Of Half-Dolls by Marion & Werner, copyright 1978. It is noted in the
book that lamps, figures, powder jars, dishes and other figural items manufactured
by Schneider all feature the same exceptional quality and design that this company
is famous for in their doll and half doll line.
The famed Schneider Erben factory
operated from the 1880's - 1951. This company won numerous awards for their exceptional
designs and superior bisque and porcelain products, including many at the 1878 Paris
World Fair Exposition Universalle, as well as the 1879 Sydney New South Wales International
Exhibition, plus many more over the years. They are one of the best known and most
respected of the antique German doll, half doll and figurine makers.
This attractive
vintage lamp would make a very nice addition to a several different types of collections,
including Pierrot, boudoir, vanity and more.
