How can I tell a Victorian lamp from a Georgian one?

Georgian lamps often feature simpler, heavier proportions with clear glass, incised twists or applied handles suited to early tallow or oil burning. Victorian examples introduce vibrant colours like cranberry and opaline, alongside more ornate brass bases and painted decoration. Looking at the burner mechanism and collar construction also helps, as Victorian and Edwardian manufacturers standardised many mechanical parts that did not exist in the eighteenth century.

Were these lamps meant to be carried or set on tables?

Smaller lamps equipped with an applied loop handle were specifically designed as finger lamps to be carried safely by hand through dark corridors. Larger examples with heavy brass columns or ceramic pedestals were intended to remain stationary on tables and mantelpieces. Examine the base and handle configuration to understand the original intended function of the specific piece.

What is a duplex burner on these lamps?

A duplex burner uses two flat wicks running parallel to each other, producing a significantly brighter flame than a single-wick burner. This mechanism became common during the Victorian period to improve household lighting. Finding a lamp with its original duplex burner intact adds considerable interest for collectors of lighting history.