These monumental lights originally stood outside The Gloria Crest Estate in New Jersey, the reputed former home of Hollywood screen idol Gloria Swanson.
Dubbed Gloria Crest and built in 1926 by Count Stefan Poniatowski, heir to the Polish throne, the 24,000sq ft mansion is rumoured to have been occupied by Swanson during her much-publicised affair with President Kennedy’s father, Ambassador Joseph Kennedy.
The 11ft 8in (3.56m) high lights, cast with classical motifs, are based on smaller standing bronze lamps discovered at Pompeii during the excavations of 1749 and now in the Naples Museum. They are estimated at £25,000-40,000 in a June 12 sale at Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst, West Sussex.
summersplaceauctions.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
