Estate of Claudette Colbert Signed Billy Haines Antique Chinese Porcelain Lamp

Hailing from the estate of the movie actress Claudette Colbert, this rare and iconic table lamp was realized by the Hollywood star turned celebrated Mid Century Modern designer Billy Haines, circa 1948. Haines used an 18th Century Chinese incense urn to create this piece- repurposing a found object/historical artifact into a stunning and unique objet d'art. Haines' reuse of antiques/ historical objects constituted an integral part of his design practice. This lamp offers a cylindrical body created in bone hued porcelain with rich cracqueleur patternation throughout. It has rounded shoulders and bottom, as well as a collar featuring stylized cubist Chinese decorative motifs carved in ebonized huanghuali rosewood. The lamp sits on a custom volumetric square base also in ebonized huanghuali rosewood with a horizontally reeded hourglass form neck in the same material. Additionally, the piece includes the original spherical finial in antiqued bronze. Boasting an impressive provenance and created by one of the greats of 20th Century American design, this piece is sure to delight discerning collectors of the period as well as those with an appreciation for truly special and museum-quality objects. The piece is signed "Billy Haines Inc. 8-25-1948" on the bottom of the ceramic body (see image below). It was purchased from Phillips approximately 50 years ago. The lamp has been newly rewired, is in excellent condition, and comes fitted with a custom shade.

American, circa 1948

Dimensions:

25.25" height x 9" diameter.