A Bouillotte lamp with a painted tin shade, also called tôle peinte. The deep fire-gilt bronze bowl has a high, slightly protruding edge that is beautifully decorated with openwork palmette motifs. From the middle of the bowl sprouts a fluted column, which ends in a ring from which the three arms, shaped like classical meanders, extend outwards. The arms carry bobèches with a pearl rim, with the candle holders above them. The column also carries a tazza above which, along the rod, both the arms and the shade can be adjusted in height.

In the 18th century Bouillotte was a popular cards game. The Bouillotte lamp was designed to keep sufficient light on the table without hindering the players. 
As the candles burnt shorter, the shade or the candleholders could be adjusted to take the full advantage of the lamp shade. The deep dish that serves as base for the lamps could hold the chips or coins that were used to make the stakes. Once the popularity of Bouillotte had faded during the 19th century, the Bouillotte lamps kept their appreciation.