How do I identify a Victorian oil lamp?

Victorian models commonly feature heavy brass Corinthian or Ionic columns, clear or coloured glass fonts, and period burner mechanisms. Look for construction details such as threaded brass collars and heavy cast metal bases. Dates generally fall between eighteen sixty and nineteen hundred, reflecting the height of domestic oil lighting before electric bulbs became universal in homes.

Can these lamps still burn paraffin?

While the original brass burners and mechanisms remain intact on many examples, modern safety standards and preservation concerns generally discourage burning oil in antique reservoirs. Most buyers choose to display them as decorative objects, though some modern collectors professionally adapt them for electrical illumination without altering the antique metalwork.

What is a duplex burner?

A duplex burner uses two parallel flat wicks housed in a single mechanism to draw fuel from the font. This arrangement creates a wide flame that produces significantly more light than a single-wick burner. Found on larger Victorian and Edwardian table lamps, these burners often bear stamped manufacturer names on the brass thumb-wheels.

How do I clean a brass lamp?

Careful dusting with a soft, dry cloth is usually sufficient for antique brass to preserve the aged patina that collectors value. Avoid harsh chemical polishes that strip surface character and remove historical signs of age. Glass shades and fonts can be washed gently in warm soapy water separately from the metal components, ensuring no moisture remains trapped in antique cement joints.