Lighting the White House
Designed to be lit in the way common to the world at the beginning of the nineteenth century, the President’s...
Gilt Bronze and Glass Argand Lamp
- Artist
- Messinger & Son
- Date of Work
- ca. 1830
- Type
- Furnishings
- Credit
- White House Historical Association
Gilt Bronze and Glass Argand Lamp
This gilt bronze, cut glass, and glass Argand lamp was reportedly given to First Lady Dolley Madison by one of Napoleon Bonaparte's brothers. English Argand lamps became popular in America after their invention in the 1780s because they produced brighter lighting with less smoke. This lamp was possibly manufactured by Messinger & Son of Birmingham, England. This lamp was a gift of Mrs. Edward W.C. Russell in 1976.