Username: @vintage_lamps_grandson
Item Name: KOEUB & CHIROL Table Lamp (Black Dress Variant) – Manufactured circa 1930
Estimated Production Date: 1930
Contributor’s Notes:
I’m sending this on behalf of my grandmother, who has been collecting vintage table lamps for decades. She found this one at an estate sale years ago. It features a scene of KOEUB sitting at a table while CHIROL eagerly reaches for a donut. My grandmother mentioned that she prefers this version because of its “classier” black dress design. She believes it might be a later model, possibly produced after the studio made corrections to the character’s appearance.
Administrator's Note:
This table lamp is an excellent example of B&C Studio’s efforts to bring their animated characters into household décor. Produced circa 1930, it features a highly detailed sculptural scene of KOEUB and CHIROL sharing a snack, integrated into a functional lamp with a polka-dot fabric shade.
The black dress variant likely represents a corrected version of the initial design. Period documentation suggests that early prototypes featured KOEUB in a red dress, which was later changed to black to align with the character's on-screen appearance. The craftsmanship indicates a limited-run production, possibly intended as a boutique item for fans rather than mass-market merchandise.
Despite signs of aging, such as patina on the base and discoloration on the fabric shade, the figures themselves appear to be in excellent condition. This piece holds significant historical value as a functional yet character-centric decorative item from the early era of animation merchandising.
Username: @vintage_lamps_grandson
Item Name: KOEUB & CHIROL Table Lamp (Red Dress Variant) – Manufactured circa 1930
Estimated Production Date: 1930
Contributor’s Notes:
This is the other lamp my grandmother owns — nearly identical to the previous one but with KOEUB wearing a bright red dress. She believes this might be the first version produced, as it’s slightly rougher in finishing. From what she’s heard, the studio wasn’t pleased with the red dress and requested a design change, which led to the black dress version later on.
Administrator's Note:
The red dress variant of the KOEUB & CHIROL table lamp is presumed to be an earlier production model, predating the corrected black dress version. While both lamps share the same sculptural arrangement and overall design, subtle differences in the paint application and finish suggest that this was a first-run item.
This version carries particular interest among collectors due to its prototype-like status. The red dress, though not consistent with KOEUB's canonical appearance, offers a glimpse into the product development process and the studio's attention to visual branding.
As with the black dress variant, the lamp integrates both decorative and functional elements, making it a rare and charming piece of animation history. The fact that both versions have survived as a pair enhances their archival value immensely.
