Notwithstanding what is written about these in Jim Dick's book, the three original examples of them I've seen have had an attractive dark brown lacquer finish. By now, that finish is not so often seen, either having chipped off or been removed by a previous owner who subsequently polished the tank and bowl exposing the original metal. That brings me to the nub of my enquiry. Tanks and bowls seem to to have been made from either brass or copper. Based on what I've seen (a small sample!), copper tanks seem to have been supplied in brass bowls whereas brass tanks appear in copper bowls. Is that the general rule or just an artefact of a small sample survey? I assume that when tanks and bowls came together in the factory, they were uniformally dark brown lacquer and no consideration was, or could be, given to matching tanks and bowls so they were made of the same metal. On the other hand, if there was an exposed embossed band of either copper or brass on the bowl, the tank top should surely match that. Just wondrin' - any thoughts anybody?
Did they make the bowls in brass at all David? I thought the bowl was always copper, and the tank was also although they do turn up with brass tanks probably due to swapping of parts through the years. EDIT: Ok well I've just looked at yours in the gallery which appears to have a brass bowl so, well what can I say. All the times I've dribbled over the pictures of these lamps I never noticed yours was brass.
The finish looks to me like BMA (bronze metal antique) which was reasonably well used for stair rods and other brass fittings. True BMA finish is achieved through a chemical reaction - no doubt applied finishes were available too. I had a go at replicating the finish on my Jacobean - and was very pleased with the outcome although I have never stood it beside another. I thought that both bowl and tank were finished much the same - although the decorative band may have grinned through its finish. If so, then the base material would not matter.
I got one here with original finish on it still ian colour on the bowl is very slightly lighter colour but the bowl is copper and the tank is brass. Looks right and how it was originally I am sure the control valve and pump are brass finished with the same finish as the tank pete
Ah, now that was my next question - if it's possible to replicate the original finish, how would one go about it. I can tolerate polished brass and copper where that was the original finish but far less so when it wasn't. Polished brass and copper on the same article just look 'orrible to my eye - like some cheap and nasty junk out of a 'poundshop'...
Well, this is how it turned out - little bit more sparkly in the flesh as the colour does not cover the base metal entirely. I was happy. But I can't remember how I did it - other than it was not that hard! I do recall that having realised it was/like BMA made it much easier; I think the bowl was sprayed and then lightly rubbed on the decorative band etc to expose the base metal and maybe lacquered subsequently. Next time I'm home I'll look at the spray cans to see if anything might give me a clue
Hello, Ian that is a great looking lamp. The finish is a credit to you. It is not to bad with a polished copper tank but in my opinion if the bowl is polished as well, that's over the top. I am not an expert on paint finishes but the way I will go at some time in the future with my Jacobean would be first use cellulose paint. It was probably in vogue then so authentic. All the stuff is available at Halfords. I would first try out on some polished sheet copper a small amount of black paint into clear lacquer. EDIT :-Bearing in mind that you need to apply about 3/4 coats and will get darker on each coat. Any other ideas ? Maurice.
Hello, Pete it looks that you are right that the pump and control valve was finished the same as the rest. The evidence on the 9/39 Cat. seems to show that. Maurice.
