A late 19th century Louis XV-style Bouillotte table lamp, with original, green, gilt- decorated tole lampshade, above a base of three upturned decorative brass candle arms supported above a heavy base. Featuring a tall carrying handle with a festoon ring, the lamp can be raised or lowered in height by the ‘feather’ adjusting key on the neck.
The name ‘Bouillotte’ is derived from the popular 18th-century French card game of the same name, which was traditionally played on a round table. The adjustable height of this lamp served to diffuse the light from the candles below, in order to increase or subdue the light on the table, according to the players’ wishes.