Monday, 1 June 2015

A £23,000 Benson Light Show In Oxford




The work of designer and architect William Arthur Smith Benson (1854-1924) entered a new price arena when this silvered brass ceiling light sold for £23,000 at Mallams Oxford.

With a scrolling flower head design and three tapering opalescent striped glass shades by James Powell & Co of White friars, a similar model is pictured in the original Benson catalogue of Electric Light Designs published in WAS Benson: Arts and Crafts Luminary and Pioneer of Modern Design by Ian Hamerton, but it is not identical.
Several bidders were prepared to pay well above the £2500-3500 estimate at the auction on May 13 for a rare design but just two combatants were involved above £10,000.

A second WAS Benson electrolier - also part of a group of 'ready to go' Arts and Crafts lights from the same retiring trade consignor - was a more recognizable design with three copper petal shades forming a flower head and four hanging 'bud' shades, again by Powell.

It sold online at £8200 - a price more in keeping with the previous upper levels for ceiling lights by Benson.
The buyer's premium was 20%.

Source: Antiquestradegazette.com

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