Shedding light on the “beauty and permanence” of Handel lamps
Two of Handel's finest creations offered at once
Handel lamp No. 7036, offered as Lot 430 in the June 8th sale at Miller & Miller Auctions. Estimate: $6,000 - $9,000
Handel lamp No. 7026, offered as Lot 431 in the June 8th sale at Miller & Miller Auctions. Estimate: $9,000 - 12,000
These magnificent “Birds of Paradise” lamps by the Handel Company of Meriden, Connecticut are the true embodiment of the extravagant, artisanal style that Handel is renowned for. These particular pieces are a collector’s dream - hand-painted, numbered, and in remarkable condition.
The Handel Company created an array of high quality, decorative items for the home from 1885 until 1936. Founder Philip Julius Handel (1867-1914) acquired an aptitude for business at a young age, leaving school at only fourteen to embark on his business journey. He first served as an apprentice at the Meriden Britannia Company (a silver and plate manufacturer), followed by five years of employment at the Meriden Flint Glass Company. During his time at the latter, Handel developed the skills and knowledge necessary to start his own glassworks company. He also met Adolph Eydam, a prominent glassworker in Meriden, whom he soon formed a business partnership with. In 1885, the owners of the newly established “Eydam and Handel Company” associated themselves with a group of talented local artists who they felt demonstrated a level of proficiency not typical of the “sleepy” Connecticut community. These artists worked with the Eydam and Handel Company to create exquisite, hand-painted household goods. Each artist was able to incorporate his or her own flair, resulting in no two products being the exact same, a selling feature that separated the company from mass manufacturers. The company was later renamed “The Handel Company” after Handel bought out Adolph Eydam in 1893.
The Handel Company founder Philip J. Handel (1867-1914)
Many of the Handel artists had side businesses of their own, creating deep roots in Meriden’s art history and adding considerable value to their Handel pieces. Many of the Handel lamps feature the signatures of these artists, including Henry Bedigie, Albert Parlow, William Runge, and George Palme. It was a combination of these artistic talents, clever marketing, and Handel’s fine quality materials that led the company to great success. By 1907, the Handel Company was enjoying a period of peak demand and rapid expansion, with new styles being introduced on a regular basis, and patents being taken out on exciting new design concepts.
On July 14, 1914, Philip Handel passed away at the age of forty-eight. His wife, Fanny Hirschfeld Handel, took over the role of president for five years until passing the firm on to Handel’s cousin, William F. Handel, in 1919. William had worked with the Handel company for a number of years and was highly regarded amongst the staff. Skilled in developing marketing campaigns, William was responsible for the next “wave” of Handel’s success, which involved marketing heavily towards the affluent upper middle class and creating a network of sales reps to showcase Handel products across the country.
A Handel Lamps ad from House Beautiful magazine, June 1922. This advertisement targets affluent middle class families, suggesting a new “summer lamp” to dress up the home for the season.
In order to create such picturesque products, The Handel Company’s design process was lengthy and required collaboration amongst multiple departments. For instance, the initial concept for a new lamp would first start in the “art and design” department, where watercolour drawings would be created to give the artist an idea of the intended pattern and focal features. This department was also responsible for creating design specification sketches which noted the desired dimensions, colours, artistic techniques and finishing processes for each product. Once this stage was complete, the “decorating” department would receive the notes and begin the creation of the initial sample product, which was often a collaboration amongst multiple artists.
A first hand look at the “concept to creation” of Handel Lamp No. 7036. The concept sketch illustrates the desired artwork style, and includes specifications pertaining to colours, finishes and fine details.
Featured in the design sketch above is lamp No. 7036, which is offered in its actuality as Lot 430 in the upcoming sale at Miller & Miller Auctions. This exquisite piece features two pairs of exotic “birds of paradise” surrounded by blooming peonies. The striking shades of crystal purple, pink, ruby, and buttercup yellow stand out beautifully against the blue background.
Lamp No. 7026, featured as Lot 431 in the upcoming sale, is an exceptional example of the artistic finesse and flamboyant style indicative of Handel’s lamps. It is decorated with two pairs of exotic “birds of paradise” with blossoming branches. It incorporates striking shades of blue and salmon with crystal lime green highlights over the black matte background. An original advertisement for this specific lamp suggests it as the perfect way to “add a warm glow of friendly welcome” to one’s home “during the long, bleak evenings of winter”.
A magazine advertisement for Handel Lamp No. 7026. This ad suggests a Handel Lamp as the perfect way to “add a warm glow" of friendly welcome” to one’s home “during the long, bleak evenings of winter”.
The Handel Company eventually closed its doors in 1936 as a result of the Great Depression. Like many other early 20th century creations, Handel lamps were forgotten for many years. They came into their own again after Tiffany’s lamps went beyond the reach of ”modest” collectors. Over the years, Handel lamps have dramatically increased in popularity amongst collectors and are now some of the most heavily sought-after lamps on the market.
It is a rarity for these two incredible pieces of art history to be offered at once. Join us on June 8th at Miller & Miller Auctions to take a closer look at the brilliance of these Handel lamps.
Story By Tess M.
Auction Details: Art, Antiques & Clocks. June 8th, 2019. 10 am.
Live Auction Location: 59 Webster St. New Hamburg, Ontario. N3A 1W8
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