Pair of Vintage Table Lamps Made in the Style of Antique Aladdin-Style Whale Oil Timekeeping Lamps

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Pair Of Vintage Table Lamps Made In The Style Of Antique Aladdin-Style Whale Oil Timekeeping Lamps

Lighting and accurate timekeeping … Read more Pair Of Vintage Table Lamps Made In The Style Of Antique Aladdin-Style Whale Oil Timekeeping Lamps

Lighting and accurate timekeeping are not challenges to us in modern times, but in previous centuries they were. In the years prior to the harnessing of electricity, lighting was provided by lamps using oil such as whale oil in the earlier years and then kerosene later on. Although the first mechanical clocks were invented in Europe in the fourteenth century, they were not very accurate; so it was difficult to have a good idea about what time it was. Then, in the late seventeenth century, pendulum clocks were invented; and they were the most accurate timekeepers until the twentieth century. Prior to that time, to help with having more accurate timekeeping and lighting at the same time; someone invented lamps that served both purposes.

Those new types of lamps were designed with glass ampoules or cylinders, into which the oil was poured for burning in the lamp. On the side of the cylinders were Roman numerals in scale indicating a twelve-hour period. As the oil burned, and the level dropped in the cylinders, it was possible to get a somewhat accurate reading of the passing of time; which enabled people to have a good idea of what the time actually was. The whale oil used was a slow-burning and clean-burning fuel, which provided the consistency needed for fairly accurate timekeeping; and the flame from the lamp not only provided the ambient light, but also illuminated the Roman numeral scale to make it easily visible for determining the time.

Prior to the invention of an accurate marine chronometer in the latter half of the eighteenth century, the whale oil timekeeping lamps were very useful to ship's navigators. Being able to calculate longitude while out of sight of land required a time standard; and pendulum clocks were useless for that purpose, because they were unable to function properly due to the rolling of the ships on the ocean's waves.

The table lamps offered here for your consideration and purchase were made in the style of the antique whale oil burning timekeeping lamps. They probably date from the middle of the twentieth century; and, although the wiring has since been removed, they were obviously once wired for electricity. The heavy bases are made of a nonferrous metal and have a burnished brass finish. They have normal signs of age and use, but the glass cylinders are undamaged, and the gold Roman numerals are in excellent condition. The shades, harps, finials, wiring, and light sockets are missing.

The bases are 6 inches by 6 inches. The widest part of the lamp is 9 inches. The height is 29 inches as pictured. Please use the zoom feature to examine the photos for detail. The photos are important parts of the description. See less