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.

Miniature Oil Lamps

Owl Figure

Greek Tripod

Red Glass Tear Drop Lamp

Greek Theater Mask

Porcelain Figural Lamp

Theater Lamps

Meissen Miniature

Porcelain Owl

Just Andersen Miniature Oil Lamp in Pewter & Brass, 1930s

$161

H 2.56 in Dm 1.58 in

Just Andersen Miniature Oil Lamp in Pewter & Brass, 1930s

By Just Andersen

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A very small oil lamp made by Just Andersen in Denmark during the 1930s. Its corpus is made from

Category

Vintage 1930s Danish Art Deco Torchères

Materials

Brass, Pewter

Rare Antique Gadget Cane Concealed Oil Lamp Lantern Walking Stick

$3,400

H 28.5 in W 0.75 in D 0.75 in

Rare Antique Gadget Cane Concealed Oil Lamp Lantern Walking Stick

Located in Shippensburg, PA

handling, the comfortably cylindrical metal cap at the top lifts to reveal a miniature oil lamp with a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century European Victorian Lanterns

Materials

Brass, Nickel

Recent Sales

Antique Meissen Dresden Figural Porcelain Owl Miniature Oil Lamp 19th C

Sold

H 6.5 in W 3.5 in D 3.75 in

Antique Meissen Dresden Figural Porcelain Owl Miniature Oil Lamp 19th C

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Big Flats, NY

Antique German Meissen Dresden figural porcelain owl miniature oil lamp, maker mark on base as

Category

Antique 19th Century Table Lamps

Materials

Porcelain

Four Cyprian Antiquities 700BC and Framed Export Licences 1937 Grand Tour

Sold

H 42 in W 25.5 in D 1 in

Four Cyprian Antiquities 700BC and Framed Export Licences 1937 Grand Tour

Located in Lowestoft, GB

tear drop glass bottle, a clay oil lamp, miniature black and red clay jug and a small glass vessel

Category

Antique Early 19th Century European Aesthetic Movement Historical Memora...

Materials

Clay, Gesso, Glass, Softwood

Miniature Oil Lamps Collection, 6

Sold

H 7 in Dm 3 in

Miniature Oil Lamps Collection, 6

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Collection of 19th century original painted glass and milk glass miniature oil lamps. Sold as a

Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Country More Lighting

Materials

Glass, Ceramic

Italian Grand Tour Model of a Roman Oil Lamp

Sold

H 7.49 in W 5.32 in D 3.75 in

Italian Grand Tour Model of a Roman Oil Lamp

Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire

A decorative Italian Grand Tour model of a Roman oil lamp, circa 1835,in the manner of Benedetto

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Italian Grand Tour Models and Miniatures

Materials

Marble

Italian Bronze Grand Tour Oil Lamp with Greek Theater Mask

Sold

H 3.5 in Dm 5 in

Italian Bronze Grand Tour Oil Lamp with Greek Theater Mask

Located in Stamford, CT

Grand tour oil lamp modeled after an ancient Roman original, decorated with a wonderful Greek

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Models and Miniatures

Materials

Bronze

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Extraordinary Walking Stick Horn Handle Silver

$1,131

H 35.83 in Dm 5.12 in

Extraordinary Walking Stick Horn Handle Silver

Located in Berlin, DE

massiv horn handle silver shaft robust stick (V-215).

Category

Vintage 1920s Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Horn

Rare Antique 1901 Steinway Model B Rosewood Grand Piano Louis XV Rococo Restored

$350,000Sale Price|30% Off

H 39.5 in W 58 in D 82 in

Rare Antique 1901 Steinway Model B Rosewood Grand Piano Louis XV Rococo Restored

By Steinway & Sons

Located in Dayton, OH

Fully Restored 1901 Steinway & Sons Model B Louis XV Baroque Rococo Grand Piano – Serial Number 99151, Full 88 key keyboard. The most exquisitely detailed example of a turn of the c...

Category

Early 20th Century American Louis XV Musical Instruments

Materials

Fruitwood, Rosewood

Exceptional Mahogany and Ormolu-Mounted Bibliotheque

$1,242,769

H 118.9 in W 157.49 in D 30.32 in

Exceptional Mahogany and Ormolu-Mounted Bibliotheque

Located in London, GB

The overhanging foliate cornice above a frieze with reliefs of female and male figures surmounted by ribbon ties and flanked by foliage and laurel leaves, above two pairs of glazed d...

Category

Antique 19th Century French Neoclassical Cabinets

Materials

Ormolu

Antique Sword Stick Walking Cane, Hardwood & Silver Mount, 19th Century

$1,346

H 33.08 in W 1.97 in D 1.97 in

Antique Sword Stick Walking Cane, Hardwood & Silver Mount, 19th Century

Located in London, GB

This is a beautiful antique English gentleman's hardwood sword stick with a carved bone pommel and a sterling silver mount, with hallmarks for Birmingham 1896 and makers marks for th...

Category

Antique 1890s Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

19th Century English Sword Cane

$2,875

H 32 in Dm 5 in

19th Century English Sword Cane

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

English sword cane with a fine toledo blade that measures approximately 27 1/2". Triangular blade marked "Toledo" on the ricasso and is beautifully decorated with etched and fire blu...

Category

Antique 19th Century English Antiquities

Materials

Brass

Clairtone Project G2 Series T11 Console Stereo System & Garrard Turntable

$21,000Sale Price|30% Off

H 24.25 in W 78.5 in D 9.25 in

Clairtone Project G2 Series T11 Console Stereo System & Garrard Turntable

By Clairtone

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

On offer is a rare completely original Clairtone G2 Series Home Stereo System from 1966 featuring two distinct exotic wooden boxes one that houses the tuner and the turntable both pr...

Category

Vintage 1960s Canadian Mid-Century Modern Musical Instruments

Materials

Aluminum

English Victorian Antique Silverplate Barrel “Match Safe” Cane Walking Stick

$1,150

H 35.5 in W 0.5 in D 0.5 in

English Victorian Antique Silverplate Barrel “Match Safe” Cane Walking Stick

Located in Shippensburg, PA

VICTORIAN SILVERPLATE BARREL-FORM "MATCH SAFE" HANDLED EBONIZED CANE Underside of screw-on lid hallmarked with serial numbering "C 4071" Probably English, circa 1870s 35 1/2" H x s...

Category

Antique 19th Century European Victorian Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver Plate, Brass

Midcentury Brass Pommel with Inset Compass Gadget Cane or Walking Stick

$499

H 35 in Dm 1.5 in

Midcentury Brass Pommel with Inset Compass Gadget Cane or Walking Stick

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This vintage walking stick or cane is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1965 in the period style. The walking stick is made with a solid turned oak shaft w...

Category

Mid-20th Century English Mid-Century Modern Sports Equipment and Memorab...

Materials

Brass

A huge pair of 21 inches Cruchley Library Globes

$134,905Sale Price / set|25% Off

H 50 in Dm 21 in

A huge pair of 21 inches Cruchley Library Globes

By G.F. Cruchley

Located in ZWIJNDRECHT, NL

G.F. Cruchley (UK, 1796-1880) London ca 1850 A magnificent pair of terrestrial and celestial globes. Equatorial table engraved with the signs of the zodiac and resting on 3 mahogany...

Category

Antique 1850s British Victorian Globes

Materials

Other

Antique Silver and Rock Crystal Walking Stick

$30,378

H 35.63 in W 2.96 in D 1.78 in

Antique Silver and Rock Crystal Walking Stick

Located in London, GB

Antique silver and rock crystal walking stick Continental, c. 1900 Height 90.5cm, width 7.5cm, depth 4.5cm This early 20th century walking stick showcases an extraordinary knigh...

Category

Early 20th Century European Models and Miniatures

Materials

Rock Crystal, Metal, Silver

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Questions About Miniature Oil Lamps

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 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.
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 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.