Accurate Description of Item
Tall Marble Column Lamp with Carved Owls
Appraiser Remarks
Pieces like these are often conversions, this one looks to be the lower section of a Figurine/bust pedestal or as you suggest, a bird bath. It appears to be constructed out of Alabaster, a marble like substance that is softer and easier to carve than marble. You can test for alabaster. Alabaster is very soft compared to marble on the Moh's hardness scale , alabaster only rates 2-2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and can be scratched with a copper penny. Marble rates 3-5 on the same scale and generally requires a pen knife blade to scratch test it.
Alabaster pieces like this tend to originate from Italy and date from the last quarter of the 19th century. Very few of these pieces are signed or carry any markings, so identifying a maker without a provenance is unlikely.
Alabaster pieces like this tend to originate from Italy and date from the last quarter of the 19th century. Very few of these pieces are signed or carry any markings, so identifying a maker without a provenance is unlikely.
Estimated Value
$250.00- $400.00
Re: Tall Marble Column Lamp with Carved Owls
Tall Marble Column Lamp with Carved Owls
Pieces like these are often conversions, this one looks to be the lower section of a Figurine/bust pedestal or as you suggest, a bird bath. It appears to be constructed out of Alabaster, a marble like substance that is softer and easier to carve than marble. You can test for alabaster. Alabaster is very soft compared to marble on the Moh's hardness scale , alabaster only rates 2-2.5 on the Mohs hardness scale and can be scratched with a copper penny. Marble rates 3-5 on the same scale and generally requires a pen knife blade to scratch test it.
Alabaster pieces like this tend to originate from Italy and date from the last quarter of the 19th century. Very few of these pieces are signed or carry any markings, so identifying a maker without a provenance is unlikely.