Archive for the ‘lamp’ Category

Oil lamp with pyramid base, c.1920

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

The person who repaired this 7″ tall EAPG (Early American Pattern Glass) oil lamp in the “Sawtooth” pattern threw caution to the wind and developed their own whimsical pyramid base, which bares no resemblance at all to the original glass base

This joint is where the lamp attaches to the painted base, showing “alligator” finish red line detailing

The overscaled base measures 7″ square

The remains of the heavily sawtoothed stem are visible from the underside of the base

This identical lamp, fully intact, reveals how much is actually missing from my lamp

Photo courtesy of iOffer

“Early Moon & Star” oil lamp, c.1850

Wednesday, June 2nd, 2010

Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) whale oil lamp in the “Early Moon & Star” pattern, aka “Old Moon & Star” and “Star & Dot” with brass ferrule collar, measures 8″ high

After the original glass base snapped off, a tinsmith created a simple conical form replacement base

The lamp below has a similarly shaped oil font and stands on a metal connector stem and marble base

Photo courtesy of Antique Investments

Glass oil lamp, c.1870

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

This American pressed glass oil lamp with tri-mold marks measures 7-1/2″ high and has a classic gadrooned body design. It is not uncommon to find glass oil lamps with replacement bases, as these were handled often over the course of each day and accidents did happen. Please check out my other oil lamps to see replacement bases created in various styles and made from an array of materials

A wood replacement base with silver gilt surface was probably made in the 1920’s-30’s, as is evident from its “art deco” look

The oil lamp below with a similar shape still has its original glass base, a lucky survivor of over 100 years of use

Photo courtesy of Antique Mystique

Lard oil lamp, c.1820

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

This unusual early American lard oil lamp is made of tin and measures 14″ tall

A woven wick would have protruded from the tilted font at the right, keeping the wick immersed in oil

The original tin base would have been much shorter than this wood replacement, made from a later electric lamp

This lamp has its original base intact

Photo courtesy of Knotty Pine Antiques

“Loop” pattern oil lamp, c.1875

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

An EAPG (Early American Pressed Glass) kerosene oil lamp in the “Loop” pattern, made of flint glass with finger loop and brass ferrule. Measures 6 inches high.

The round glass base was replaced with an unusually shaped square replacement, beautifully made.

This is what the lamp looked like with its original base, burner, wick and chimney

Photo courtesy of LennyFran

“Sawtooth Diamond” oil lamp, c. 1850

Tuesday, April 6th, 2010

This pressed glass whale oil lamp in the “Sawtooth Diamond” pattern measures 9-3/4″ high. It has a brass collar and was made of flint glass, most likely in New England in the mid 1800’s.

Mass produced molded pressed glass was made to look like more expensive, hand made cut glass.

Most likely, an itinerant tinsmith or tinker in the late 1800’s fashioned a round base to repair the broken lamp and make it usable again.

The oil lamp pictured below in the “Excelsior Variant” pattern shows what the original base on my lamp might have looked like.

Photo courtesy of Brey Antiques

Art deco lamp, c.1938

Saturday, March 27th, 2010

I love this American “machine age” metal lamp, found at a newly opened antiques shop in upstate NY. It sits on a side table in my bedroom and is one of the few pieces from my collection that I use often. The lamp dates from the late 1920’s and measures 18″ tall. The coffee tin with key wind lid is dated 1938.

A truly inventive solution to recycling a discarded coffee can and replacing a damaged lampshade all at once.

The pierced top of the “shade” allows the heat from the bulb to escape, as well as cast a lovely pattern on the ceiling.

Sandwich glass oil lamp, c.1840

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

This “Sweetheart” pattern whale oil lamp was made by the Boston & Sandwich Glass Co., Cape Cod Glassworks, and by other manufacturers in and around the town of Sandwich, Massachusetts. I have come across dozens of oil lamps with inventive repairs, as they were used daily, often moved, and frequently broke.

The conical tin base, made by a tinsmith, replaced the original glass base and has been filled with weights to ensure the lamp does not fall over and break again. Lamp stands 9-1/4″ high.

This is what the complete lamp looks like with its original, more ornate base intact.

Photo courtesy of Pavilion Gallery

American whale oil lamp, c.1830

Sunday, March 14th, 2010

A free blown clear glass whale oil lamp, made in America in the early 1800’s, measures 7-1/2″ high.

As lamps were used daily, it is not unusual to see examples with replacement bases, such as this simple one made of wood.

This similar oil lamp still has its original elaborately molded base.

Photo courtesy of Comollo Antiques

Ripley double finger oil lamp, c.1868

Friday, March 12th, 2010

There are many variations of this double finger oil lamp, made of pressed glass by Ripley & Company in Pittsburgh, PA. This 8″ high lamp has a lovely yellow patina in the oil reservoir from many years of use.

It was not uncommon for oil lamps to snap off at the base. As a result, I have come across many examples over the years with a variety of wood and metal replacement bases.

This wood replacement base was carved in a curious manner.

“Ripley & Co. Patd Jan 7, June 14, Aug 11, 1868” is marked on bottom of the intact base of this lamp.

Photo courtesy of eCRATER