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 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.

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 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.

Oil Lamp Chimney

Pan Chandelier

Antique Railroad Lanterns

Blown Feather Glass

Victorian Glass Lamps

Wonderful quality antique Edwardian brass oil lamp

$749

H 27.56 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Wonderful quality antique Edwardian brass oil lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Wonderful quality antique Edwardian brass oil lamp, having a quality antique Edwardian brass oil

Category

Early 20th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Wonderful quality antique Victorian copper & brass oil lamp

$797

H 24.41 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Wonderful quality antique Victorian copper & brass oil lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Wonderful quality antique Victorian copper and brass oil lamp, having a quality antique oil lamp

Category

Antique 19th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Copper

Wonderful quality antique Victorian brass oil lamp by Hinks and Sons

$899

H 25.2 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Wonderful quality antique Victorian brass oil lamp by Hinks and Sons

Located in Ipswich, GB

Victorian brass oil lamp, with a glass chimney and globe supported on a brass fluted shaped column. D

Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Early Victorian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Pair Antique Baltic Black Opaline Art Glass with Birds / Feullage Oil Lamps

$1,288Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 24 in Dm 6 in

Pair Antique Baltic Black Opaline Art Glass with Birds / Feullage Oil Lamps

Located in Opa Locka, FL

Pair 1870's Baltic Black Opaline Art Glass Oil Table Lamps with Glass Chimney. Detailed love birds

Category

Antique 1870s French Baltic Table Lamps

Materials

Art Glass

Antique Brass Oil Lamp

$584

H 19.69 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in

Antique Brass Oil Lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

For sale is this 19th Century antique brass oil lamp, with glass chimney, Lovely shaped brass font

Category

Early 20th Century Metalwork

Materials

Brass

Stunning quality antique Victorian oil lamp

$707

H 25.6 in W 7.09 in D 7.09 in

Stunning quality antique Victorian oil lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Stunning quality antique Victorian oil lamp, having a quality antique Victorian oil lamp, with a

Category

Antique 19th Century Lanterns

Materials

Brass

Stunning quality Antique Victorian Oil Lamp

$872

H 27.56 in W 8.27 in D 8.27 in

Stunning quality Antique Victorian Oil Lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Stunning quality antique Victorian oil lamp, having an original glass chimney and a floral wavy

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Early Victorian Glass

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Chandelier, Early Victorian Style, Plug-In, USA, 1970

$140

H 22 in Dm 19 in

Vintage Brass Chandelier, Early Victorian Style, Plug-In, USA, 1970

Located in Phoenix, AZ

" high and 19" in diameter. It has 5 lights: 4 chimney oil lamp style lights and one light at the bottom

Category

Mid-20th Century American Early Victorian Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Recent Sales

German "Magic Lantern" Complete, in it's Original Box, Never Used, Early 1900s

Unavailable

H 7.5 in W 13 in D 10.75 in

German "Magic Lantern" Complete, in it's Original Box, Never Used, Early 1900s

Located in Petaluma, CA

condenser lens and single objective lens. The illumination is provided by the oil lamp with a glass chimney

Category

Early 20th Century German Art Nouveau Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Tin

Parisian Porcelain Oil Lamp with Glass Chimney

Sold

H 64.5 in Dm 16 in

Parisian Porcelain Oil Lamp with Glass Chimney

By Porcelaine de Paris

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A charming antique bronze and Porcelain de Paris oil lamp with its original cylindrical glass

Category

Antique 19th Century French Napoleon III Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Large Early 20th Century French Copper and Brass Railroad Lanterns

Sold

H 23.5 in W 9.75 in D 9.5 in

Pair of Large Early 20th Century French Copper and Brass Railroad Lanterns

Located in Fayetteville, AR

iron railroad lanterns feature their original brass oil lamps and inserts with glass chimneys. The

Category

Early 20th Century Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron

Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century

Sold

H 13 in W 8.08 in D 8.08 in

Binnacle Compass Mahogany and Brass End of the 19th century

Located in Milan, IT

side oil lamp with brass handle with chimney engraved with the number 562. Very good condition. End of

Category

Antique 1890s British Nautical Objects

Materials

Wood

Darkened Brass and Paned Glass Chimney Shade Pendant Lights 'Pair'

Sold

H 9.5 in Dm 7 in

Darkened Brass and Paned Glass Chimney Shade Pendant Lights 'Pair'

Located in San Francisco, CA

A unique pair of delicate, darkened brass and glass lanterns, originally oil lamp chimney shades

Category

Vintage 1910s Chandeliers and Pendants

Materials

Brass

Unusual quality antique Victorian oil lamp

Sold

H 21.66 in W 6.7 in D 6.7 in

Unusual quality antique Victorian oil lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Unusual quality antique Victorian oil lamp having a quality antique Victorian oil lamp with a

Category

Antique Early 19th Century Early Victorian Table Lamps

Materials

Glass

Victorian Arts & Crafts Brass and Stained Glass Hall Lantern, c.1890

Sold

H 22.05 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Victorian Arts & Crafts Brass and Stained Glass Hall Lantern, c.1890

Located in Worcester, GB

, including cut glass with star and vine patterns Original "Cosmos" oil lamp burner with chimney and

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Lanterns

Materials

Stained Glass

Victorian Glass and Brass Oil Lamp

Sold

H 26 in W 8 in D 8 in

Victorian Glass and Brass Oil Lamp

Located in Stutton, GB

Victorian glass and brass oil lamp with a glass chimney and shade, brass burner in mint condition

Category

Antique 19th Century European Victorian Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Hartman Pulled Feather Art Glass Oil Lamp

Sold

H 4.5 in W 8 in D 8 in

Hartman Pulled Feather Art Glass Oil Lamp

Located in Alhambra, CA

Pulled feather art glass oil lamp, with missing chimney. Highly resembles orient and flume glass

Category

Vintage 1980s American Arts and Crafts Vases

Materials

Blown Glass

People Also Browsed

Unusual Outstanding Quality Large Antique Victorian Porcelain Oil Lamp

$1,779

H 31.11 in W 8.67 in D 8.67 in

Unusual Outstanding Quality Large Antique Victorian Porcelain Oil Lamp

Located in Suffolk, GB

Unusual outstanding quality large antique Victorian porcelain oil lamp having the original pretty engraved glass shade and chimney, double brass burner, glass font supported by an ...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Meissen German Porcelain Oil Lamp W Glass Shade

$5,500

H 30 in W 12 in D 12 in

Antique Meissen German Porcelain Oil Lamp W Glass Shade

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in LOS ANGELES, CA

Antique Meissen German Porcelain Oil Lamp W Glass Shade. It is in uniquely original condition and has NOT been wired.

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century German Victorian Candle Lamps

Materials

Porcelain, Glass

Lovely Antique Victorian Quality Brass Oil Lamp

$598

H 27.56 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in

Lovely Antique Victorian Quality Brass Oil Lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Lovely antique Victorian quality brass oil lamp having a clear glass shaped shade, transparent cut glass reservoir supported on a brass Corinthian column raised on a square stepped b...

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Glass

Materials

Brass

Quality antique Victorian brass oil lamp

$817

H 29.14 in W 7.88 in D 7.88 in

Quality antique Victorian brass oil lamp

Located in Ipswich, GB

Quality antique Victorian brass oil lamp having the original floral decorated glass shade, brass reservoir supported on a brass Corinthian column raised on a square stepped brass base

Category

Antique 19th Century Victorian Glass

Materials

Brass

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Oil Lamp Chimney For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the oil lamp chimney you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each oil lamp chimney for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, glass and brass. There are many kinds of the oil lamp chimney you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. Each oil lamp chimney bearing Victorian, Art Nouveau or mid-century modern hallmarks is very popular. A well-made oil lamp chimney has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Fog & Mørup, Henning Koppel and Hans-Agne Jakobsson are consistently popular.

How Much is a Oil Lamp Chimney?

The average selling price for an oil lamp chimney at 1stDibs is $1,025, while they’re typically $295 on the low end and $18,000 for the highest priced.