Rare 1840s Whale Oil Lamp Etched Glass Font Original Double Burner Iron Base

Details

Description

This is a superior example of early 19th-century American lighting, distinguished by its high-quality decorative finish and construction. Unlike standard … Read more This is a superior example of early 19th-century American lighting, distinguished by its high-quality decorative finish and construction. Unlike standard plain-font lamps of the era, this specimen features a delicately wheel-etched font featuring a swag and floral motif. The glass is brilliant, hand-blown lead glass with a polished pontil/wafer connection to the stem.

The lamp is supported by a heavy, weighted pedestal base. The outer casing is turned brass, while the interior is weighted with cast iron to prevent tipping—a hallmark of higher-end domestic lighting from the 1840–1855 period. It remains in its "as-found" state with a rich, dark patina that collectors prize.

The original double-tube brass burner is present and in excellent condition. This specific burner configuration was designed for spermaceti (whale) oil, predating the explosive "burning fluid" (camphene) era.

Technical Specifications
Material: Hand-Blown Lead Glass; Turned Brass; Cast Iron (Internal Weighting)

Burner: Period-Correct Double Vertical Tube Whale Oil Burner

Decoration: Wheel-Etched "Vine & Swag" Pattern

Date: Circa 1845

Reference Sources
Book Title: Oil Lamps: The Kerosene Era in North America
Author: Catherine M.V. Thuro
Reference: Page 42 (Check similar weighted-base pedestal examples and font etching techniques)
Alternative Reference: The Glass Industry in Sandwich, Vol. 4, by Joan E. Kaiser, Page 112 (for etched motifs on early blown fonts).

Item dimensions: 8.75" tall × 4.25" diameter
Weight of item: 2 lb 4 oz See less