After-market decoration on a burmese fairy lamp

Check out ebay #110597003943. Sorry, my computer won't let me send a link. The seller says that the gilt decoration is "typical of Jules Barbe." Clever wording. It appears to me to be definitely after-market. This is not the same seller we have been discussing on this forum. This seller is selling out of Scotland.

I just received a reply from the seller about the decoration on this fairy lamp. He said he had always wondered about it because he thought all the decoration was colored enamel. However, he continued by saying that this fairy lamp came from his grandmother's estate in the 1950's and had always been this way. What do you make of this?

The seller has not taken out the Jules Barbe reference in his description. I also noticed that this is a private listing and bidders will not be identified in any way, so they can't be contacted.

Whoops! I meant to say that the seller has NOW taken out the Jules Barbe reference.

Well, that certainly a step in the right direction. I have a few additional examples of fairy lamps decorated with very similar gilt decorations (also from the UK). However, I do not have permission to circulate the photos. Until I get permission, you'll just have to take my word for it.

I do, however, have this piece that was purchased on eBay from Madrid, Spain. The new owner reports that the decoration washs off with acetone. A good test but, it may not necessisarily be conclusive. I would be interested in anyone's experience attempting to remove the gilt decorations.

After a short hiatus, here is another example of modern gilt decoration on an antique Burmese fairy lamp.

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This decoration is typical of many other examples we have seen in the past. Some day I hope we are able to determine the specifics about the "artist" who decorated these items.

Jim

Here are two more pieces of Burmese with gilt decorations. These are being offered by a reputable auction house in the UK. I think it is only a matter of time before many of these modern gilt decorations show up in reference books written by unsuspecting authors who will add a degree of legitimacy to these items.