An oversize antique Chinese urn in the archaistic style, which revives the forms and ornament of ancient ritual bronzes, converted into a commanding table lamp. The surface is rich coppery brown veiled in blue-green verdigris that settles into the recesses. Two sculpted dragon-form handles curl from the shoulders, their heads finely modeled. Bands of tooled decoration wrap the body: a Greek-key fret at the neck, a field of overlapping scales on the shoulder, and a ring of pointed lappet panels around the belly, each filled with its own fine pattern.
The urn sits on a black wood base and rises to a brass socket with a decorative cluster finial, topped with a vintage shade that is included. The shade shows wear and blemishes, which we've disclosed, and it can be swapped for a new one. At 14" in diameter and 37" tall with the shade, the lamp has real presence on a console, a sideboard, a large entry table or beside a sofa, and it reads as sculpture even when switched off.
- *Era: Antique
- *Origin: China (archaistic style)
- *Material: Patinated metal vessel, black wood base, brass hardware
- *Size: 14" dia x 37"H overall (with shade)
- *Color: Coppery brown with blue-green verdigris
- *Condition: Antique vessel made into a lamp; natural patina and verdigris with age-appropriate wear; included vintage shade has visible wear and blemishes
This oversize antique Chinese archaistic urn has been made into a table lamp. It has dragon-form handles, a Greek-key neck band, scale decoration, lappet panels, a black wood base and a brass socket. It measures 14 inches in diameter and 37 inches tall with its included vintage shade, which has visible wear. It is available from DE-COR in Pasadena with trade pricing for designers.
Q: What does archaistic mean, and was this made as a lamp?
A: Archaistic describes Chinese pieces made in the style of ancient ritual bronzes, using motifs such as lappet panels, key-fret bands and beast-form handles. This urn was made as a vessel and has since been converted into a lamp with a wood base and brass fittings, so you are buying an antique urn in a lamp conversion.
Q: Is the green patina natural, and what about the shade?
A: The verdigris and coppery brown surface appear to be a natural aged patina, and we have not polished or repainted it. We recommend dusting only, without metal polish. The shade is vintage with visible wear and blemishes, so treat it as a styling piece and swap in a new one if you prefer.
Specifications
- Era: Antique
- Origin: China, archaistic style
- Material: Patinated metal vessel, black wood base, brass socket and finial
- Dimensions: 14" diameter x 37" H overall, with shade
- Color: Coppery brown with blue-green verdigris
- Details: Dragon-form handles, Greek-key band, scale-pattern shoulder, lappet panels
- Modification: Antique vessel converted to a table lamp
- Shade: Vintage shade included; wear and blemishes present
- Condition: Antique vessel with natural patina; shade worn
**Please bear in mind that colors of products shown may vary slightly from their original color due to monitor display settings or photography studio.