What is an antique glass hurricane lamp?

It is a nineteenth-century lighting device designed to shield a flame with a glass shade or chimney while illuminating a room. These pieces typically combine a brass base with coloured or clear glass components.

How do I identify a Victorian oil lamp?

Victorian oil lamps frequently feature turned brass bases, glass fonts, and matching chimneys or shades dating from the nineteenth century. Look for materials such as cranberry glass, opaline, and cut crystal combined with brass or silver plate.

Were these lamps used with oil or candles?

They were produced for both oil and candles, depending on the specific mountings and internal mechanisms fitted to the base. Many nineteenth-century examples incorporate paraffin burners, while others support candle sockets and glass chimneys.

What are glass lustres used for?

Glass lustres serve as decorative mantelpiece ornaments rather than functional light sources, though they incorporate glass prisms to catch the light. Pairs of lustres often feature cut glass drops suspended around a central bowl or stem.