Whale-oil lamp, 1830-1840

Decorative glass lamps were almost unknown in England during the first half of the 19th century and were considered an American innovation. The pear-shaped font of this lamp was closed at the top with a cork burner. Wicks, inserted through one or two metal tubes in the cork, dropped down into the whale-oil contained in the font. The heavy "waterfall" base, which is hollow and press-molded, made this lamp relatively safe to place on a table or mantel.

Blown and pressed glass
Gift of George N. Keyser in memory of Mary Keyser, St. Charles, IL (1983.113.68)

Lighting | Glass

© Illinois State Museum 31-Dec-96