Brass

Oil Lamps

A Brief History

Oil lamps have been a source of heat and light for thousands of years. An oil lamp has a container at the bottom in which oil is stored. A fabric strip is placed in the oil via a small opening into the container. The end of the fabric strip that is exposed is lit and when the fuel is soaked up into the fabric burns to create light and heat. The oldest oil lamp (stone) was found in Lascaux, France in 1940 in a cave that is believed to have been inhabited about 10,000 years ago. There is a rough timeline of the evolution of handmade lamps. From bowl-shaped to saucer-shaped, then from saucer with a nozzle, to a closed bowl with a spout. The most commonly found oil lamps today are the tall cylinder shaped containers with glass domed tops.

Blue Glass
Blue Twisted Glass Oil Lamp

Different Styles of Oil Lamp

Different materials have been used for the oil container over the years. From stone, clay, terracotta to glass and brass. The oil itself has been changed as new substances became readily available over the years. Nut/seed oil and animal fats were used centuries ago. A mixture of turpentine and ethanol, was the first chemical fuel for lamps. As we entered into the more modern ages the oil was replaced by gas-based or petroleum-based fuels. The style of the oil lamps also changed with the times making them more decorative.

oil lamp
A beautiful Turquoise Glass Oil Lamp

Cleaning Oil Lamps

Here at Wildcard Curiosities, we have Gareth Norman Makes who carries out restoration, art work and specialist cleaning for our business items. I have incorporated into this blog a video made by Gareth for the cleaning of an oil lamp. For further videos and information relating to Gareth Norman Makes please search social media and YouTube.

Where to find us

Wildcard Curiosities is based in Freemen’s Common Antique Centre, 8 Counting House Road, Leicester, LE2 7LT.

The centre is open from Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 10am-4pm.

There is a café and toilets on site

We also have an online shop