Antique and Vintage Oil Lamps

We are a part of eBay Affiliate Network, and if you make a purchase through the links on our site we earn affiliate commission.
An oil lamp is any vessel that holds oil and an absorbent wick and produces continuous heat or light when lit. The most basic oil-lamp form—a shallow dish filled with oil or grease and a partially submerged wick or rag—was used from biblical...
Continue reading
An oil lamp is any vessel that holds oil and an absorbent wick and produces continuous heat or light when lit. The most basic oil-lamp form—a shallow dish filled with oil or grease and a partially submerged wick or rag—was used from biblical times to the Victorian era. Do-it-yourself "slut lamps" could be made by dipping a rag in fat or lard, stuffing it into a bottle mouth, and lighting it. The term "slut lamp" eventually became synonymous with lamps using grease as fuel. Dish oil lamps, usually made of pewter or iron, were popular with American colonists, even though they only gave off weak, flickering light and produced clouds of smoke. In that way, these oil lamps were similar to the other widespread light source, candles—both oil and wax were eventually employed in hanging chandeliers and wall sconces. The simplest colonial oil lamps were iron saucers with one or two lips to hold the free-floating wick. These classic lamps were similar to ones used by ancient Greeks, Romans, and Assyrians. Oil lamps with more than two lips for wicks were called "crusies," "chills," or "cressets." A favorite lamp shape was a pan with one channel on the side to receive the wick and a handle on the opposite side. The handle was often linked by an iron chain to an iron boat-hook-shaped spike, used for securing the lamp on a shelf or mantel. In colonial times, two design innovations were particularly well-received. The first was the "phoebe lamp," which contained a small one-channel lamp set within a larger one-channel lamp, so that the drippings from the smaller lamp would not fall to the floor. Even more popular was the "betty lamp," which featured a hinged lid and a thin metal channel of iron that fed the wick directly to the bottom of the pan. Betty lamps also had a curved handle and mantel hook, as well as a pick to loosen the wick when it got stuck. Some betty lamps were even mounted on adjustable stands. A popular spin on the betty lamp—the Ipswich Betty,...
Continue reading

Best of the Web

The Lamps of H. G. McFaddin
Bruce Bleier's tribute to the Emeralite and Bellova lampshades made from Czech glass and...
Gas Pressure Lanterns, Lamps and Stoves
Terry Marsh's beautiful showcase of gas-pressure lanterns, lamps, stoves, irons, and heaters...
The Lampworks
Lamp collector and dealer Dan Edminster has put together an incredible reference site on antique...
Texans Incorporated: The History of a Lamp Company
Mark Stevens has created an impressive living memorial to Texans Inc., a 20th century Texas...
Fairy Lamp Club
This incredible site is a stunning showcase for Victorian and contemporary fairy lamps, a style...
Most Watched

Best of the Web

The Lamps of H. G. McFaddin
Bruce Bleier's tribute to the Emeralite and Bellova lampshades made from Czech glass and...
Gas Pressure Lanterns, Lamps and Stoves
Terry Marsh's beautiful showcase of gas-pressure lanterns, lamps, stoves, irons, and heaters...
The Lampworks
Lamp collector and dealer Dan Edminster has put together an incredible reference site on antique...
Texans Incorporated: The History of a Lamp Company
Mark Stevens has created an impressive living memorial to Texans Inc., a 20th century Texas...
Fairy Lamp Club
This incredible site is a stunning showcase for Victorian and contemporary fairy lamps, a style...