Vaughan Brass and Bronze Bouillotte Lamp. Figural Bronze Birds in the French Empire Manner, set with electrified candles on a round base decorated with engine turning. Measures 11"x11"x24". Weight is 8 pds. PROVENANCE: A Private Charleston SC Estate. Bouillotte was a card game that was wildly played in France in the 18th century. In fact, this form of gambling became so popular that they created both a table and a lamp specifically for the game. A bouillotte lamp is a table lamp with two to four adjustable candle brackets. These lamps always had a darker metal shade not only to shade the platers eyes but because in the 18th century the lightbulb was yet to be invented and the burning candles would incinerate any fabric shade. These card table lamps typically had dished bases that were used both to hold the game chips as well as to catch the melting candle wax

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