Kerosene lamp

Object NameKerosene lamp

Manufacturer Ripley & Co. (American (Pittsburgh, PA), 1866 - 1891)

Date1870

OriginUSA

MediumBrass fittings, Bristol blue glass fonts and stem, clear etched glass chimneys.

Dimensions15 1/4 × 9 1/2 in. (38.7 × 24.1 cm) Other: 1 × 5 1/4 in. diameter (2.5 × 13.3 cm)

ClassificationsDecorative Arts, Glass

Credit LineGift of Ann and Henry Brunnier. In the Farm House Museum Collection, Farm House Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object number76.30.105abc

Status

On view

Collections

Decorative Arts

CultureAmerican

Label TextThe history of illumination can be explored through objects found in the permanent collection, from Persian pottery tallow lamps and glass whale oil lamps, to electrified Tiffany Art Nouveau table lamps and the contemporary Lobmeyr “Met” chandeliers. The collection also includes the Victorian era glass kerosene lamp pictured in a radiant and unique bright blue color. Oil and oil lamps have been utilized for centuries with the earliest discovered lamps dating from 9th century Persia. Historically these lamps were illuminated by vegetable oils, tallow or animal fat. Illumination in the 1800s to early 1900s changed drastically as new sources of fuel spurred adaptation and innovation. In the 1700s and early 1800s, whale oil was the fuel of choice for its clean and virtually odorless burning and commercial capability. Glass whale oil lamps were created by many companies, but the most sought after include those made of flint glass at the Sandwich Glass Factory, Sandwich, Mass. The perilous long hunts and multi-step expensive processing eventually lead to the over-hunting of whales to meet demand. Alternative sustainable fuels needed to be explored and manufactured on a larger scale by the Civil War Era. Enter Kerosene, an innovation of Abraham Gesner who began distilling coal in 1846 to produce a clear liquid that produced a bright flame when used to power a traditional oil lamp. He called his new fuel kerosene after the Greek word “keroselaion.” Within the decade, it was discovered that kerosene could be extracted from petroleum making the production as a fuel more viable and sustainable commercially. Kerosene lamps were used throughout the 19th century as gas lighting was namely reserved for the wealthy and electric lighting was just catching on in rural areas by the late 1800s. Even after electrification, people retained their glass kerosene lamps for emergency uses. With the advent of electrification, many families’ oil lamps were converted to this form of power to retain the historic beauty and design of oil lamps within the home. This Victorian era kerosene lamp, produced in the early 1870s by Ripley & Co. of Pittsburgh, PA (1866 – 1891), has twin "Bristol" opaque blue glass lamp bowls connected to one central pillar on a pressed glass base. In the 1700s Bristol, England was producing fine opaque glass often made to imitate porcelain - likely this is where the unique color of the “Bristol blue” glass garnered its name. Collectors of Early American Pattern Glass (EAPG) often call this blue color “starch blue” or “blue alabaster.” The two hurricanes are clear blown glass with etched bands while other fittings are in brass. Between the two lamp bowls is an area for holding matches to light the wick. The foot of the lamp is embossed "RIPLEY & CO / PAT. FEB 1ST 1870." This type of lamp is often referred to as a “Marriage Lamp” or “Wedding Lamp” because of the duel lamplight.

MarkingsPat. Feb. 1st,1870 Ripley & Co.

Locations