Last week I found myself turning the car around rather quickly to go to an Estate Sale that was in a lovely retirement community. When I stepped into the home my heart raced as my eyes spotted one treasure after another. I was almost sad for not having met the dearly departed mother of the ladies hosting the sale, for she had loved the things that I love and I knew that we would have been fast friends. When I spotted these lamps I knew in an instant that they were coming home with me. That is if the price was right and as I spoke with the ladies of their mother's treasures, I pulled out my phone to show them a picture of my bedroom and exactly where they would go. With a tear in their eyes they told me that she would have been delighted to know of the home that they would go to. It was a comfort to them and a delight to me.
I knew they were big lamps. I would guess them to be about 3-4 feet tall and the base filled my bedside tables. I may have to come up with another place to put them.
As I was placing them I discovered this signature and stamp I rushed to the computer to see just exactly what the story was on these lamps.
The lamps were created by the JB Hirsch Lighting Company and these were a part of the Francaise Collection which were made from molds of the famous French bronze sculptor LF Moreau and his brothers.
During the time of WW1 various bronze founderies began to hide the molds fearful they would fall into the hands of the Nazis.
The molds were taken apart and the parts were scrambled.
In 1948-1963 over 200 molds were unearthed.
When JB Hirsch learned of this discovery he brought back several molds from France. Putting them together was like figuring out a zigsaw puzzle with much the same delight of the completed accomplishment.
I am amazed by the wonderful details of these lamps.
I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history. I hope that in the telling I haven't made any mistakes.
Today I am joining Debra of Common Ground Vintage Inspiration and the Show and Tell party at My Romantic Home and French Country Cottage.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs
Becky