Vintage Brass Oil Lamp

A lamp as old as time itself, and it still holds up to this day, these vintage brass oil lamps are a lovely throwback to a bygone era. You might have seen them in old British shows. Yes, these are the same lamps. And they are both functional and sturdy. The enduring spirit of the past will live on in your home when you introduce a vintage brass oil lamp.

Vanessa WeberInterior Design Expert

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Vintage Brass Oil Lamp By Rayo
Bring some vintage glamour and old-fashioned solutions to your home, with this gorgeous oil lamp. It boasts of rustic design, while standing on a lovely base made of robust metal in brass finish and holding a hand-blown clear glass hurricane.

A solid vintage brass oil lamp converted to electric lamp. Its beautiful, shiny finish makes it a very attractive and decorative element in the house. Round base of this lamp assures good level of stability.

This vintage brass oil lamp comes from early 1900's, being a must-have item for all who are interested in vintage or antique design. The high-quality finish and well-done conservation allowed this Victorian Rayo lamp to withstand the test of time.

Antique Vintage 17 Solid Brass Whale Oil Lamp Light 3 Way Wick Cleaning Tools
Looking for vintage elements that will illuminate your home, vintage brass oil lamp, clearly old-fashioned with polished brass, which half separates into a figure resembling a teapot and ends with a circle, may attract your attention.

Made in vintage style brass oil lamps is a fantastic solution for antique interior design. Beautiful decorative details, beautiful lanterns and impressive construction create a unique whole that captivate.

Illuminate your home with vintage shine and timeless elegance, by using this impressive oil lamp. Its base is rounded for balance, and made of durable metal in a brass finish. The base holds a slender, hand-blown hurricane, designed of clear glass.

Vintage brass oil lamp, vintage lantern, fully working, from Ireland

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Our advice Buying Guide

Someone wise once said that, ‘If you’re looking for a bit of class, you can never go wrong with brass’. Couldn’t be truer. Brass is ethereal. It is classy, elegant and functional.

When it gets exposed to the elements, it develops what most people call a ‘patina’, which is unique to each piece. Layers upon layers of naturally formed hues and shades mark every antique brass décor piece that we’ve ever laid eyes upon.

Among them all, brass oil lamps form a large chunk of our collectibles inventory. If you too are allured by the rustic charm of vintage brass oil lamps, then here’s a small checklist to help you go shopping with.

What types of brass oil lamps are there?

To ensure that you don’t end up being fobbed off, do your homework on the different types of antique oil lamps. Some of them are:

Cruisie lamp – 16th Century – Typically made of cast brass and had a second oil reservoir to catch the spills from the first – Extremely rare to find one in good condition
Betty Lamp – 17th Century – One of the most common and popular types of oil lamps, the betty lamp was a marked improvement over its predecessors. It was more efficient and prevented oil wastage
Argand Lamp – Late 17th Century – Also known as the Central draft lamp, the Argand lamp is considered as the inspiration behind many of the popular oil lamp designs that followed. It spawned numerous spin-offs like the Quinquet, Lewis and Bude lamps. The original argans are quite rare. They are top heavy and cast a very unique shadow far away from the flame.
Tiffany Lamp – 19th Century – Tiffany lamps swept through the modern world in the Art Noveau period. The incredibly ornate stained leaded glass lampshades are every collector’s dream.

This is not by far, the most exhaustive list of vintage oil lamps. Brass lamps were made in almost every country in a variety of designs with influences from ancient Roman, Victorian and Indian culture.

What are the most well-known manufacturers of vintage brass oil lamps?

One of the easiest ways to spot an antique brass lamp is to identify its manufacturer. It’s easier said than done though. Manufacturers usually left a mark, a number, a patent or a pattern (logo) on the flame spreader, the font top, the wick winder or on the filler cap. Some even left it elsewhere on the lamp.

Grab a magnifying glass and scan the oil lamp for any minute detail that might indicate the exact year and time in which it was manufactured. Some of the most popular brands are:

Aladdin Lamps. Was earlier known as the Mantle Lamp Company
Thomas Sanders Ltd
Benham & Froud
Birmingham Brass Co
Bullpit & Sons
Lempreur & Bernard (L&B)
Belgian Lamp Co
Kosmos Brenner
Miller
Tiffany
Smith & Davis

How to ascertain the value of a vintage brass oil lamp?

All said and done, vintage brass oil lamps can cost a pretty penny, especially if they are in immaculate condition.

Irrespective of whether you are trying to ascertain the value of a lamp you chance discovered in the attic or trying to find whether the price tag on eBay is reasonable enough, here’s how you can ascertain the value of the lamp.

Check the condition. Are there any missing parts? Is the lamp working? What about dents or scratches?
Does it retain the oil wick and burner or has it been electrified? A lot of antique lighting fixtures were electrified which reduces its value somewhat.
Identify the manufacturer and the time. The rarer the lamp, the higher it will cost.