How do these lamps work?

These lamps burn paraffin or lamp oil drawn up through a cotton wick from the central glass or metal font. Adjusting the thumbwheel on the burner mechanism controls the height of the flame and the resulting light output. Air tubes inside the burner supply oxygen to the flame, ensuring a steady and relatively smoke-free burn when paired with a matching glass chimney.

Can I still burn oil in them?

While many collectors retain the original operational burners and wicks, modern safety standards lead most owners to use these pieces primarily for decorative display. Converting them to electricity without damaging the historic structure is also a common practice. If you decide to use oil, ensure the metalwork is stable and use only clean, odourless paraffin suitable for indoor lamps.

How do I date a lamp?

Dating relies on stylistic clues, patent markings on the brass burner mechanisms, and the manufacturing techniques used for the glass and ceramics. Victorian examples often feature heavy brass columns and cranberry glass, while Edwardian pieces lean towards softer opaline shades. Makers' names stamped onto the metal wick turners provide the most precise chronological markers for specific components.

What is a duplex burner?

A duplex burner uses two parallel flat wicks instead of one, creating a wider flame and greater illumination. This system became popular in the late nineteenth century for larger table lamps. Lamps equipped with duplex burners usually require wider chimneys and specific double-slot galleries to fit the mechanism correctly.

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Vintage Paraffin Burner

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These vintage paraffin burner designs bring nineteenth-century illumination home, combining practical domestic lighting with decorative glass and polished metal.