Antique Signed HANDEL Robert Godwin Reverse-Painted Glass DRAGON Lamp Shade and Antique French Doré Gilt-Bronze Ormolu Louis XVI Revival Neoclassical Candelabra
By Jessica Kosinski
$1,824 (119 Bids, 20 Bidders): Antique Signed HANDEL Robert Godwin Reverse-Painted Glass DRAGON Lamp Shade.
This shade is hand-signed in gilt “Handel Co. 2186” and, under the dragon’s leg, it is signed by the artist “Godwin.” We found references to a Handel artist by the name of Robert Godwin; however, we could not find any personal information about him. What we can tell you is that this rare, early 20th-century, Handel lamp shade features a large dragon that is reverse-painted in translucent colors and textured, really giving the scales a lifelike appearance. There are also hand-painted gilt decorations and accents surrounding the large sun or flower. This rare & authentic Handel Dragon lamp shade is in very good condition and measures 4 1/2” high by 13” in diameter with a 10” diameter rim. There are no problems or restorations, and as always, this auction has been listed without any reserve. (Photos: eBay seller, WWolst12Store)
JK: The Handel Company was formed in Meriden, Connecticut, and incorporated in 1903, although it got its start as the Eydam and Handel Company in 1885. Adolph Eydam and P.J. Handel ran the company together until Handel bought out Eydam’s half of the company. Local artists worked for them and helped them gain a reputation for quality and excellence in lampmaking and glasswork. Thanks to a New York City showroom and multiple sales agents traveling around the country, the company thrived until the 1930s, despite Handel himself passing away in 1914. His wife, Fannie, took over the business at that point.
Handel shades didn’t always depict dragons. In fact, birds and floral motifs were much more common. That’s one reason this auction caught the attention of so many bidders. Another is that the shade was in good condition and had no restorations. Collectors love original paint.
Another attractive feature is the artist. The shade was clearly marked with both the company’s name and Godwin’s signature. Not a lot is known about Robert Godwin, but his works that have survived are stunning and always attract attention.
The model and pattern number, “Handel Co. 2186,” is also important. Handel works were usually given their own model numbers. Those records were kept by the company, but today some of the records have been lost. Collectors use marked examples found to help them fill in the gaps. Gilt signatures like the one on this shade were also common on Handel pieces, so that helped bidders to authenticate the shade.
A final important thing to note about this shade is that it is worth much more with the accompanying base. In fact, the seller also mentioned in the listing that a base with similar shade recently sold for $10,000. It’s possible that at least one of the bidders may have had a Handel base already and been looking for a shade to go with it.
$1,950.99 (65 Bids, 17 Bidders): Antique French Doré Gilt-Bronze Ormolu Louis XVI Revival Neoclassical Candelabra. This auction is for a pair of antique, 19th-century gilt-bronze ormolu four-light candelabra executed in the highly decorative Louis XVI Revival style. Measuring 19” high by 8” wide, these candelabra feature a raised central candleholder and three scrolling candle arms with richly cast acanthus and rocaille ornament, supporting fluted and twisted candle cups with foliate drip pans and shell-and-scroll bobeches. The stems are formed as finely detailed Renaissance court figures, one depicting a noblewoman in elaborate period dress holding a flower and the other a nobleman in doublet and trunk hose with a feathered hat and holding a portrait medallion. Both figures stand atop architectural pedestals lavishly decorated with shells, scrollwork, acanthus leaves, and other Rococo motifs. The triangular bases terminate in three scrolling feet and are equally well cast. Highlighting the depth and detail of the casting, the original gilt finish is still bright. (Photos: eBay seller, WWolst12Store)
JK: King Louis XVI reigned from 1774 to 1792. In France during that time period, there was a shift away from the Rococo style and toward a more geometric and symmetrical style while still being full of artistic expression. These candelabra reflect that style but were actually produced as part of the Louis XVI Revival movement that was particularly popular from 1852 to 1870 during the Second Empire. At that time, everyone wanted luxury items that would normally be found in palaces.
These candelabra are described as “ormolu,” which is finely gilded bronze. The process, called mercury gilding, made items especially durable and gave them more shiny finishes than standard gilding at the time. However, the process was dangerous and exposed artisans to toxic gases, so it was soon replaced by safer gilding methods. Today, ormolu pieces are
fairly rare, which probably also contributed to the popularity of this auction.
The candelabra are also exceptional because they combine function and artistic style. The nobleman and noblewoman figures were originally designed to make a major artistic statement. Originally, they would have been displayed on dining tables or elaborate sideboards. Today, they still attract attention because they blend function and style together.
This pair caught the eyes of 17 bidders for many reasons, including the fact that they are an actual pair. Often, pairs got split up over time. Collectors also evaluate items like these based on gilding, casting quality, and general condition. These checked all of those boxes, creating the perfect conditions for a bidding war.
Jessica Kosinski has been a freelance researcher and writer since 2001. She developed a passion for pre-1990s TV and films as a kid, and she has never grown out of it. Recently, she turned that passion into a retro TV and film blog. Follow along with her at medium.com/@jkos_writing, as she dives deep into the characters, actors, quirks, and trivia that brought us some of the greatest films and shows in TV history and also discusses some of the more obscure films and shows most of us may have forgotten.
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