Antique 1840s Spun Brass Standalone Lard / Burning Fluid Lamp Flat Wick Burner

Details

Description

Up for sale is a authentic 19th-century spun brass standalone fluid/lard lamp, dating to circa 1840s–1850s. Standing approximately 4.5 inches … Read more Up for sale is a authentic 19th-century spun brass standalone fluid/lard lamp, dating to circa 1840s–1850s. Standing approximately 4.5 inches tall with a 2.25-inch diameter footed base and weighing 9.3 oz, this piece features an egg-shaped/urn font sitting atop a turned, pedestal stem and flared foot base.

The lamp is equipped with a specialized single flat-wick burner collar mechanism constructed of heavy gauge sheet copper/brass with dual rectangular wick slot openings along the side and a small circular drip/return hole at the burner plate. The burner screws securely into the internal brass collar of the font. The piece exhibits a rich, unpolished golden brass patina with authentic surface oxidation, light verdigris encrustation inside the burner assembly, fine vertical stress crazing lines inherent to 19th-century spun metal, and minor shallow dimples/dents to the lower font consistent with age and period use. Uncleaned and completely original.

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: Representing the technological transition in mid-19th-century American lighting prior to the commercial kerosene boom of 1859, this standalone spun-brass fluid lamp embodies classical Biedermeier and American Empire urn proportions. The delicate footed stem and warm patinated surface reflect functional early American metallurgy crafted for residential and tavern interiors.

Curator’s Note: An exceptional accent piece for country house, colonial, or eclectic interior schemes. This mid-19th-century brass fluid lamp functions beautifully as an authentic sculptural vignette piece on a library desk, mantel, or stacked shelf arrangement. Its rich, unpolished warm brass hue adds tactile history and artisanal depth to contemporary or classic spaces.

Specifications & Details
Object Type: Standalone Fluid / Lard / Whale Oil Lamp

Era / Age: Mid-19th Century (c. 1840s–1850s)

Origin: United States / Early American

Material: Spun Brass (Font & Pedestal Base), Copper/Brass Burner Assembly

Dimensions: Approx. 4.5" Height x 2.25" Base Diameter

Weight: 9.3 oz (263.6 grams)

Burner Type: Threaded Collar Single Flat-Wick Burner with Side Wick Slots and Drip Return Hole

Authenticity Assessment
This piece displays key physical markers of mid-19th-century American brass craftsmanship:
*Spun Brass Construction & Stress Crazing

*Burner Architecture

*Internal Assembly & Wear See less