These two exquisite lamps adorn the façade of the former Marmorosch Blank Bank headquarters in the Lipscani area of Bucharest. The bank has been one of the main financial institutions of inter-war Romania. It became, trough its mortgage and other type of loan lending to the population and businesses, one of the engines behind the inter-war Bucharest building boom, which saw the emergence of the Neo-Romanian and Art Deco architectural style skyline of the city. The bank headquarters were erected between 1915 – 1923, with a break during the Great War, after a design by the architect Petre Antonescu, one of the most seminal Romanian architects. The building incorporates elements inspired from late medieval Romanian church architecture originating in both Wallachia and Moldova. The Moldovan elements are discernible in the Gothic patterns and ornaments as can be seen in the photograph above in the dress of the window opening. I like the more unusual shape of the wall lamps, which is a rendering of the chain held incense burner used by priests performing Christian ceremonies, perfectly in tone with the overall church inspired architecture and decoration of the building.
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I endeavor through this series of daily articles to inspire appreciation of the historic houses of Romania, a virtually undiscovered, but fascinating chapter of European architectural history and heritage.
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If you plan acquiring a historic property in Romania or start a renovation project, I would be delighted to advice you in sourcing the property, specialist research, planning permissions, restoration project management, etc. To discuss your particular plan please see my contact details in the Contact page of this weblog.
Valentin Mandache, architectural historian 