On a base of assymetrical volutes and rocailles sits an Oriental sage. To his left and right sinuous branches decorated with leaf motifs rise up and end in candle holders. The bobeches are decorated with hanging acanthus leaves. Behind the sage stands a rod on which a screen is mounted. The screen can be moved up and down on the rod to mask the direct light of the candle flames.
This type of table light is the predecessor of the Bouillotte lamp, that becomes very popular by the end of the eighteenth century. The statuette of the Oriental wise man, a Sage or Magus, is made of stucco. It shows the style of Chinoiserie that was very popular in the beginning of the eighteenth century.
This lamp is made with a high level of refinement in the chasing of the gilt bronze parts. Although most of the bronze artifacts of this period are French, this specimen most probably comes from Germany.
