What is a whale oil lamp?

A whale oil lamp is a lamp that uses whale oil for fuel. Whale oil lamps were largely made from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Antique whale oil lamps are collectibles today and an older specimen will be a striking addition to your mantel or display cabinet. Find a collection of antique and vintage whale oil lamps on 1stDibs today.

How do I use a hanging oil lamp?

To use a hanging oil lamp, remove the oil font from the base and fill it three-quarters of the way with clear lamp oil. Return the font and close the base. Twist the knob to raise the wick until it is a little less than 0.25 inches above the burner. Light with a match or lighter. After extinguishing and allowing time for cooling, trim the burned end off of the wick. You'll find a collection of hanging oil lamps on 1stDibs.

Are oil lamps still used?

Yes, oil lamps are still used today. However, most people utilize oil lamps while camping or during power outages in the U.S. It is uncommon for Americans to light their homes only with oil lamps. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique oil lamps.

Who invented the Victorian oil lamp?

The Victorian oil lamp was designed in 1792 by inventor Ami Argan. What made this lamp unique to the ones that preceded it is the unique shape, featuring a long glass shaft that aids the illumination of the lamp. Browse a collection of vintage Victorian oil lamps on 1stDibs.

When did they start using oil lamps?

People began using early versions of oil lamps for spiritual purposes during ancient times. References to oil-burning lamps are found in both the Torah and the Bible. Oil lamps became popular for everyday use lighting homes and businesses in the late 19th century with the advent of the kerosene lamp. Shop a selection of antique oil lamps on 1stDibs.

How does a Roman oil lamp work?

Roman oil lamps are simply containers filled with oil, in which a wick made up of cloth or rope rests on one end. The other end of the wick comes in contact with the air. When the wick is lit, the oil in it burns and gives out light.

How do you use a brass oil lamp?

How you use a brass oil lamp may vary based on the design of the piece. However, generally, you fill the lamp with vegetable, sesame or similar plant-based oil. Use tweezers to raise and lower the wick and trim away burned ends with scissors. Then, use a match to light the lamp. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of oil lamps.

How do I tell if an oil lamp is antique?

There are a few key things to look for to identify an antique oil lamp. First check for a patent number anywhere on your lamp. Use a black light to inspect whether your lamp’s hardware is secured with glue, which fluoresces and would indicate a contemporary lamp. Antique lamps use plaster to attach hardware and fill gaps. An antique oil lamp may have hand-blown glass. Shop a range of professionally authenticated antique oil lamps on 1stDibs.

Lucerne Oil Lamp

Indian Silver Table

18th Century Candle Holders Brass

Brass Oil Burner

Italian Florentine Lamp

Whale Oil

Urns With Covers

19th Century Italian Ceramics

Cast Paper

Early 19th Century Small Brass "lucerne" Oil Lamp

$1,146

H 14.97 in Dm 4.53 in

Early 19th Century Small Brass "lucerne" Oil Lamp

Located in Delft, NL

An early 19th Century small brass "lucerne" oil lamp An early 19th Century small brass "lucerne" oil lamp or called "Florentine" lamp in Italy, with 4 burners in animal shape on a...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian Cast Brass Two Burner Oil Lamp With Shade, 19th Century

$600

H 16.75 in Dm 5 in

Italian Cast Brass Two Burner Oil Lamp With Shade, 19th Century

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Cast brass two burner Lucerne oil lamp with hanging wick implements and fitted with its original brass deflector shade with rice paper insert.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian cast brass 4 spout oil lamp with wick implements, 1790

$900

H 30 in Dm 6.5 in

Italian cast brass 4 spout oil lamp with wick implements, 1790

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Cast brass four burner Lucerne oil lamp on a cast threaded rod. The rod is topped with an open shield form finial and is treaded to a conical centered circular base with standing rim...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian Cast Brass Single Spout Oil Lamp with Deflector, 1790

$600

H 19 in Dm 5 in

Italian Cast Brass Single Spout Oil Lamp with Deflector, 1790

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Cast brass single burner Lucerne oil lamp. The lamp is supported by an adjustable sliding brass knob on a brass rod threaded to a scolloped edge base with standing rim, drip pan, and...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Italian Candle Lamps

Materials

Brass

Bronze Italian "Lucerne" Four Spout Oil Lamp 19/20th Century Oil lamp with Urn

$395

H 21 in Dm 5 in

Bronze Italian "Lucerne" Four Spout Oil Lamp 19/20th Century Oil lamp with Urn

Located in Ottawa, Ontario

A BRONZE ITALIAN "LUCERNE" FOUR SPOUT OIL LAMP 19th/20th Century. Oil lamp with urn shape four spout oil reservoir, sliding on a cylindrical shaft, with wick trimmer scissors, snuff...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Renaissance Revival Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Antique Italian Renaissance Brass Lucerne Florentine Chatelaine Oil Lamp 1880

$1,036Sale Price|20% Off

H 40 in W 22.75 in D 12 in

Antique Italian Renaissance Brass Lucerne Florentine Chatelaine Oil Lamp 1880

Located in Portland, OR

A good 19th century Italian 'Florentine' or 'Lucerne' 4 burner brass oil lamp, in the Renaissance Revival manner, circa 1860.

Category

Antique 1860s Italian Renaissance Revival Floor Lamps

Materials

Brass

Rare 19th Century Indian Neoclassical Silver Oil Lamp

$3,400

H 17.5 in W 6 in D 6 in

Rare 19th Century Indian Neoclassical Silver Oil Lamp

Located in Essex, MA

Period Indian silver oil lamp of neoclassical inspiration --Early 19th century --Original Throughout including wick tools and flame/ball finial ----heavily inspired by the Roman...

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Indian Neoclassical Table Lamps

Materials

Silver

Lucerne & Lampane - Lithograph - 1862, 1862

$211

H 7.49 in W 11.42 in D 0.04 in

Lucerne & Lampane - Lithograph - 1862

Located in Roma, IT

An instructive antiquarian plate illustrating a carefully arranged selection of ancient lighting devices and related domestic implements, including oil lamps (lucerne), suspended lam...

Category

1860s Modern Figurative Prints

Materials

Lithograph

Pair of Early 19th Century Italian Antique Silver Oil Lamps by Vincenzo Belli II

$39,590 / set

H 16 in W 3.5 in D 3.5 in

Pair of Early 19th Century Italian Antique Silver Oil Lamps by Vincenzo Belli II

Located in North Miami, FL

A pair of early 19th century (1828 – 1859) Italian Antique silver oil lamps (Lucerne) by Vincenzo Belli II. They are in the “Retour d’Egypte Style”.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Sterling Silver

Italian Cast Brass Four Burner Lucerne Oil Lamp Antique 1850

$2,500

H 23 in W 9 in D 9 in

Italian Cast Brass Four Burner Lucerne Oil Lamp Antique 1850

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

Italian Cast Brass Four Burner Lucerne Oil Lamp Antique Circa 1850. Cast brass four with 4 wick burner Lucerne oil lamp with four hanging wick tools, an adjustable under-font collect...

Category

Antique 1840s Italian Candle Lamps

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

Italian Brass Lucerne Oil Lamp with Contrasting Gilt Embellishments, c. 1800

Sold

H 29 in Dm 8 in

Italian Brass Lucerne Oil Lamp with Contrasting Gilt Embellishments, c. 1800

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Cast and stamped brass columnar Lucerne lamp with oxidized and contrasting gilt embellishments.

Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Candle Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian 3 spout brass oil lamp with wick implements, 1790

Sold

H 21.5 in Dm 5 in

Italian 3 spout brass oil lamp with wick implements, 1790

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Cast brass three spout Lucerne oil lamp on a solid brass rod threaded with a shield form finial and supported by a conical centered circular base with standing rim, drip pan.

Category

Antique 1790s Italian Candle Lamps

Materials

Brass

Italian Cast Brass Four Burner Lucerne Oil Lamp '1810'

Sold

H 16 in Dm 4.5 in

Italian Cast Brass Four Burner Lucerne Oil Lamp '1810'

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Cast brass four burner Lucerne oil lamp with four hanging wick tools, an adjustable under-font collection dish, and a loop carrying handle at the top of the rod.

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Candle Lamps

Materials

Brass

Turkish cast brass Lucerne oil lamp, c. 1890

Sold

H 20 in Dm 5 in

Turkish cast brass Lucerne oil lamp, c. 1890

Located in Kenilworth, IL

Turkish cast brass Lucerne oil lamp with a four spout font and fitted on a brass rod with circular base and an open shield shaped finial.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Turkish Candle Lamps

Materials

Brass

Decorative Objects Under $1,000

Antique and Vintage Decorative Objects

19th Century Decorative Objects

Metal Decorative Objects

European Decorative Objects

Decorative Objects on Sale

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Lucerne Oil Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal lucerne oil lamp for your home. Frequently made of metal, brass and silver, every lucerne oil lamp was constructed with great care. There are many kinds of the lucerne oil lamp you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 19th Century. Each lucerne oil lamp bearing neoclassical hallmarks is very popular. A well-made lucerne oil lamp has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Jo Ann Hambrick are consistently popular.

How Much is a Lucerne Oil Lamp?

Prices for a lucerne oil lamp can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $495 and can go as high as $39,590, while the average can fetch as much as $1,183.

Questions About Lucerne Oil Lamp

What is a whale oil lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
A whale oil lamp is a lamp that uses whale oil for fuel. Whale oil lamps were largely made from the 16th to the 19th centuries. Antique whale oil lamps are collectibles today and an older specimen will be a striking addition to your mantel or display cabinet. Find a collection of antique and vintage whale oil lamps on 1stDibs today.
How do I use a hanging oil lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To use a hanging oil lamp, remove the oil font from the base and fill it three-quarters of the way with clear lamp oil. Return the font and close the base. Twist the knob to raise the wick until it is a little less than 0.25 inches above the burner. Light with a match or lighter. After extinguishing and allowing time for cooling, trim the burned end off of the wick. You'll find a collection of hanging oil lamps on 1stDibs.
Are oil lamps still used?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Yes, oil lamps are still used today. However, most people utilize oil lamps while camping or during power outages in the U.S. It is uncommon for Americans to light their homes only with oil lamps. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of antique oil lamps.
Who invented the Victorian oil lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The Victorian oil lamp was designed in 1792 by inventor Ami Argan. What made this lamp unique to the ones that preceded it is the unique shape, featuring a long glass shaft that aids the illumination of the lamp. Browse a collection of vintage Victorian oil lamps on 1stDibs.
When did they start using oil lamps?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
People began using early versions of oil lamps for spiritual purposes during ancient times. References to oil-burning lamps are found in both the Torah and the Bible. Oil lamps became popular for everyday use lighting homes and businesses in the late 19th century with the advent of the kerosene lamp. Shop a selection of antique oil lamps on 1stDibs.
How does a Roman oil lamp work?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 24, 2021
Roman oil lamps are simply containers filled with oil, in which a wick made up of cloth or rope rests on one end. The other end of the wick comes in contact with the air. When the wick is lit, the oil in it burns and gives out light.
How do you use a brass oil lamp?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
How you use a brass oil lamp may vary based on the design of the piece. However, generally, you fill the lamp with vegetable, sesame or similar plant-based oil. Use tweezers to raise and lower the wick and trim away burned ends with scissors. Then, use a match to light the lamp. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of oil lamps.
How do I tell if an oil lamp is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are a few key things to look for to identify an antique oil lamp. First check for a patent number anywhere on your lamp. Use a black light to inspect whether your lamp’s hardware is secured with glue, which fluoresces and would indicate a contemporary lamp. Antique lamps use plaster to attach hardware and fill gaps. An antique oil lamp may have hand-blown glass. Shop a range of professionally authenticated antique oil lamps on 1stDibs.

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Lucerne Oil Lamp For Sale on 1stDibs

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