Antique french oil lamp, 19th century rouge griotte marble and patinated bronze base

A truly royal oil lamp that shouts quality. Impressively large and very heavy. A rare antique, you will struggle to find another lamp like it. This lamp is made out of luxurious materials. Its pedestal is a late 19th century french vase garniture consisting of rouge griotte marble, patinated bronze and gilt metal. The gilt feet are stylised, supporting a rich slab of marble. Above that another ring of gilt metal with floral patterns and another ring of red marble, followed by yet more gilt metal. The base above that is made of patinated bronze and is also decorated in relief with motifs of shells and flowers. The transparent font is embossed with a lovely twisted ribbing effect. The chimney is marked: "marque déposée l. & b. No 1". This stands for the well-known lempereur & bernard, but it is highly unlikely that this lamp was made by the belgian firm: there is no mention of l&b on the burner or the wick-raiser knob. The burner is a duplex no 2 burner, as indicated on the wick raiser knob. Comes with an old wick. It is 73 centimetres tall, almost twice the size of most kerosene lamps. It weighs a whopping 5.2 kilograms. In excellent condition.