What is an antique table oil lamp?

An antique table oil lamp is a nineteenth-century lighting device that burns liquid fuel through a wick housed in a burner. These domestic objects combined functional illumination with decorative glass and metal craftsmanship. Surviving examples from the Victorian period often feature coloured glass vessels paired with brass, copper, or silver plated components, frequently accompanied by matching shades.

How do you date an oil lamp?

Dating an oil lamp involves examining the materials, manufacturing techniques, and stylistic markers recorded across the Victorian era. Pieces from around 1860 often display specific glass types like satin glass or silver plating. Later Victorian examples from around 1900 show shifts in vessel forms and colour preferences, such as pink opaque glass and cranberry tones. Comparing the combination of metals and glass helps place a lamp within its production period.

What are peg oil lamps?

Peg oil lamps are a specialised form designed with a lower spigot or peg that drops into a separate holder. This configuration allowed the lamp top to be used in wall mounted brackets or existing candle holders. Archives show examples in ruby glass configured for wall mounting with adjustable fittings, demonstrating their versatility in domestic settings.

How were different glass colours made?

Victorian glassmakers achieved different colours by adding specific metallic oxides and minerals to the molten batch. Cranberry glass used gold compounds to create its characteristic pinkish-red tone. Opaque and satin finishes were achieved through chemical treatments and specialised cooling processes, creating the textured surfaces seen on many Victorian lamps.