Oil Lamp Gallery
Enjoy some images of our oil lamps / kerosene lamps. Each of our lamps is lovingly and carefully restored before being passed to a new home.
The lamps have been grouped into general categories so simply click on the photo to enlarge it or on the title to see individual lamps in that category with detailed information about each one.
Early American Patterned Glass (EAPG) Oil Lamps Kerosene Lamps
EAPG oil lamps enjoyed continuous popularity throughout the kerosene lighting era. From the late 1850s to the early 1900s, they were made by many glass companies and in many sizes and designs. It has been estimated that up to 3,000 different designs were made but many of these had a limited production run. Even taking this into consideration, it would be fairly safe to say that at least 1,000 different patterned glass kerosene lamps were produced in significant numbers during this period.
They were manufactured in many different sizes from miniatures to finger lamps, small and large hand lamps, massive sewing lamps and even banquet lamps.
Predominantly, they were made in clear glass but amber, blue and emerald green glass were also popular but produced in fewer numbers. Other types of glass such as opalescent, opaque and carnival were also used to make oil lamps but again, in far fewer numbers than the clear glass.
Composite Oil Lamps Kerosene Lamps
Composite oil lamps were popular between the 1880s and the early 1900s. They came in a wide variety of “mix and match” bases, stems and fonts. As a result, a huge number of combinations were made.
Some bases were slate or soapstone but commonly they were cast iron and came in a variety of mouldings. Most fonts were clear glass, though coloured glass was also seen. Again, there were many different designs available. The greatest diversity of materials and form was exhibited in the stems. They were made from redware (pottery), reverse painted glass, hand painted milk glass and metals ranging from cast spelter to tin.
The pictured kerosene lamps (from left to right) show a milk glass stem with an amber glass font, a reverse painted stem with a clear glass font, a hand painted milk glass stem with a clear glass font and finally a redware stem with a roughened (frosted) glass font.
Table Oil Lamps Kerosene Lamps
This category of oil lamps covers many of the metal lamps and some glass ones as well.
As the name would suggest, they were designed to sit on the table to brightly illuminate the immediate work area. At the same time they did quite a good job of lighting the surrounding area too, especially if the shade was removed.
The metal table kerosene lamps had the added advantage of strength and durability making them a popular choice for many.
“Aladdin” Incandescent Mantle Oil Lamps Kerosene Lamps
There is an extensive range of “Aladdin” oil lamps available. They range from the earliest metal lamps to glass ones and those that are unique to the country of manufacture.
Since 1908 when the first mantle lamps were introduced in North America, “Aladdin” (in the company’s various guises) have produced more than 15 different models of metal table lamps worldwide. In addition, hanging, wall bracket and floor lamps were also available in most models.
Starting in 1932 “Aladdin” also produced over 20 models of glass lamps with at least three colour options for most. The Corinthian (1935-1936) was offered in fifteen different colour combinations. Production of “Aladdin” glass mantle lamps continued into this century.
“Aladdin” operated manufacturing plants in England, Australia, Brazil and Hong Kong with most plants producing lamps that were unique to that country.
Parlour or “Gone with the Wind” Oil Lamps Kerosene Lamps
Lamps of this style were used extensively as props in the movie “Gone with the Wind” but this is not historically correct. The movie was set during the Civil War but production of these lamps did not start until at least a decade later. However the term is so widely used these days, that it has become an accepted description.
Gone with the Wind (GWTW) lamps have matching glass shades and bases and generally also have matching hand painted motifs on both. Most commonly, the shades on these kerosene lamps are globes but dome shades are also found.
The base section of some lamps is the actual oil font but the majority of these lamps have a removable slip font, usually brass, that sits inside the glass “vase” base. In practical terms, this made it much easier to fill the lamp with kerosene, maintain the burner and reduced the likelihood of damage and breakage. Aesthetically though, it introduced an entirely new element in design and decor.
Banquet Oil Lamps Kerosene Lamps
As the name would suggest, banquet oil lamps are generally quite grand, both in size and style. The tall stems meant that the light was elevated well above the surface the lamp was sitting on and so illuminated a wide area.
The majority of the banquet kerosene lamps produced in North America utilised slip fonts. This allowed great flexibility in the choice of materials, form and design and resulted in a widely diverse range being produced. From the traditional English and European brass column styles to multi-sectioned glass banquet lamps and the more rustic wrought iron range, all tastes were catered for.
Unlike the English and European lamps, the predominant choice in shade style was a hand painted globe as used on Gone with the Wind lamps.
Thankyou for taking the time to look at some of our oil lamps / kerosene lamps.
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