How do you clean the glass shades?

Wash them in a plastic bowl using warm soapy water. A metal sink can chip the delicate bottom rim if the glass slips from your hands. Don't force a towel tightly into the narrow neck. Dry the shade with a soft cloth.

My grandmother left me a brass lamp but the wheel on the side is stuck fast and won't turn, what should I do?

The wick mechanism has probably seized due to dried paraffin. Old fuel turns into a tough varnish over decades of storage. A few drops of penetrating oil left overnight on the spindle often frees the metal. Never force the wheel with pliers as the soft brass gears strip easily.

Can you burn standard candle wax?

Solid models take standard tapers. Oil-fired versions require lamp fuel. Check the fitting before buying consumables.

I noticed the tall glass on the one I bought has a slightly rough edge on the very top lip, is that normal?

Many blown shades have ground top rims rather than fire-polished ones. The maker snapped the glass from the blowpipe and ground it flat on a wheel. Run your finger gently over the rim. If it feels uniform but unpolished, that is how it left the workshop. Sharp jagged spots suggest later damage.

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Antique Hurricane Lamps

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Tall glass shades mounted over candleholders or oil reservoirs, designed to stop draughts extinguishing the flame indoors or while moving between rooms.