How to Identify an Antique Oil Lamp | Hunker (2024)

FAQs

How can you tell if an oil lamp is antique? ›

Hold a black light next to the lamp in a dark room. New oil lamps are held together with glue, and new glue fluoresces in black light. Old lamps have glass parts that are fused, so they don't glow in black light.

Rarity: If the lamp is rare — one of a small number in existence or a design not seen on other lamps of the same type — it will have a higher value. Aesthetics: A visually stunning lamp usually has precise individual elements that work together seamlessly for a well-balanced look.

The earliest clay lamps were shallow bowls in which a wick was floated in a pool of oil. Later versions were hand-folded to create a spout for the wick to rest in, as with this "co*cked hat" lamp. The most common oil used in the Mediterranean region was olive oil.

When it comes to collectibility and value in oil lamps of all types, look for good condition, decorative fonts of molded glass with geometric shapes or patterns, pressed glass, depression glass or other colored glass, mouth blown glass, transferware ceramic stems, hand painted designs, etc.

10,300–8000 BC). The oldest stone-oil lamp was found in Lascaux in 1940 in a cave that was inhabited 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Some archaeologists claim that the first shell-lamps existed more than 6,000 years ago (Neolithic, Later Stone Age, c. 8500–4500 BC).

In the strictest sense, the difference between an antique and a vintage item is its age. Antiques are items which must be at least 100 years old. That means, as of the date of this posting, an antique item was made on or before April of 1918.

You can also distinguish them by their intricate designs, ornate shapes, elegant shapes and detailed patterns. These design elements are typically handcrafted, curved or molded on the lamp shades, mimicking objects of nature. The most common forms of antique lamps include table lamps, floor lamps and sconces.

The answer / solution to the problem / question documented in this article. To locate the the serial number of the lamp to determine the age or type of lamp, you will have to physically remove the lamp from the lamp housing module. Etched on the lamp is type and serial number.

There are three types of oil lamps: flat-wick, central-draught (tubular round wick), and mantle lamp. Kerosene lanterns meant for portable use have a flat wick and are made in dead-flame, hot-blast, and cold-blast variants.

What is the difference between an oil lamp and a kerosene lamp? ›

Due to its refined nature, paraffin oil is safe for use both indoors and outdoors. Kerosene is not a clean burn, and it is therefore only suited for outdoor use.

The quickest and most fool-proof way to tell is to check the wick raiser knob – all Aladdin lamps have the name “Aladdin” and the model # printed on the burner wick raiser knob (models 1-4 don't have the number).

Boxlike wooden columns or iron, copper or pottery bases were preferred. Shades were made of metal and translucent mica, parchment, colored glass or pierced pottery. Lamps were short compared with more-modern versions. The domed or mushroom-shaped shade and the low wattage of the light bulb provided dim illumination.

The lamp was invented at least as early as 70,000 bce. Originally it consisted of a hollowed-out rock filled with moss or some other absorbent material that was soaked with animal fat and ignited. In the Mediterranean area and the Middle East, the earliest lamp had a shell shape.

Oil lamp has symbolic meaning in the other religions as well. In Judaism it is a symbol of light that lights the way for wise and righteous. Christianity sees it as a symbol of life eternal and of Gods wisdom. Oil lamp is lit when a bishop consecrates the church and it is meant to burn until the Judgment day.

Vintage Lamp Maker Marks

You can look for a manufacturer's name, symbol, or date stamp on the lamp's base. If there is a felt covering, you may need to lift it, and you may need to use a magnifying glass, but you should be able to find writing or drawings on the base of the lamp.

If you come across something you're unsure of, check the silhouette style, type of glass, and bulb age. Edison bulbs, certain ceramics, types of metals and colors are all distinguishable features for different ages of vintage light fixtures.

Look for antique age and condition.

Age and condition significantly impact an antique's final asking price, and nearly every professional antique appraiser will consider an item's condition in determining its value.