How do I clean a fragile glass lamp shade?

Wash glass shades in lukewarm water with mild soap, avoiding harsh abrasives that might damage hand-painted or etched surface decoration. Dry them carefully with a soft cloth before replacing them on the burner. Keep brass components polished with appropriate metal cleaners, taking care not to let cleaning residues touch painted or delicate glass sections.

How can I tell a Victorian lamp from an Edwardian one?

Victorian lamps often lean towards heavy brass Corinthian columns and rich cranberry or gilt glass, reflecting mid to late nineteenth-century taste. Edwardian pieces, emerging around nineteen hundred, frequently introduce lighter forms, opaline glass, and distinct Art Nouveau influences. Examination of the burner stamps and registry marks provides further clues to the exact manufacturing decade.

What is a duplex burner?

A duplex burner uses two parallel flat wicks to generate a wider, brighter flame than traditional single-wick lamps. This mechanical innovation allowed nineteenth-century households to read and work by lamplight much more effectively. Lamps featuring this system often bear the name of prominent makers like Hinks on the thumbwheels.