Kerosene lamp - Glass, Spelter

Antique oil lamp, circa 1890 – Decorated amber glass and ornate spelter base – Napoleon III / Belle Époque period

An elegant antique oil lamp, probably dating from the late 19th century, around 1890, distinguished by its amber-glass reservoir with rich golden-brown hues and finely crafted base.

The lamp has a beautiful historicist aesthetic, characteristic of the decorative arts of the late 19th century, at the transition between the Napoleon III style and the Belle Époque.

An amber-glass reservoir with warm reflections

The centerpiece of this lamp is its superb molded-glass reservoir, generously rounded in shape and decorated with raised circular motifs.

Its amber color, reminiscent of honey and cognac, is enlivened by dark brown nuances and marbled effects that give it remarkable depth and decorative luminosity.

Depending on the lighting, the glass reveals magnificent golden reflections, characteristic of the sought-after aesthetic of late 19th-century interiors.

A richly ornamented base

The reservoir rests on an elegant four-footed cast-metal base, probably made of spelter, with a silvery-gray patina.

Its particularly elaborate decoration combines radiating fluting, floral garlands, foliage, scrollwork, and classically inspired motifs.

This ornamentation reflects the eclectic, historicist taste of the 1880s–1900s.

An antique burner preserved with its wick

The lamp has its metal burner with a perforated gallery and side-adjustment mechanism, along with its cotton wick and tall, clear-glass chimney.

The adjusting knob, decorated with a delicate radiating rosette, is made of a black material resembling ebonite, a hardened rubber used from the second half of the 19th century onward, particularly for small technical and decorative components. This identification, however, remains to be confirmed.

This detail adds further interest to the piece as a whole and illustrates the materials used in antique household objects.

Specifications

- Estimated period: late 19th century, circa 1890 (stylistic dating).
- Style: historicist, late Napoleon III / Belle Époque.
- Reservoir: molded amber glass, decorated with roundels and brown marbled effects.
- Base: cast metal, probably spelter, with a silvery-gray patina.
- Burner: predominantly brass-colored metal, with a decorated knob and cotton wick.
- Chimney: clear glass.
- Total height with chimney: 51 cm.
- Height without chimney: 27 cm.
- Maximum reservoir diameter: approximately 15 cm.
- Base width: approximately 13 cm.
- Total weight: approximately 1.1 kg.

Condition

In good overall presentation condition, with an antique patina and signs of use consistent with the object's presumed age.

The burner retains its wick and adjustment mechanism. The glass chimney is present. Functionality and leak-proof condition have not been tested.

Detailed photographs allow the decorations, materials, fittings, and condition to be appreciated.

A decorative piece full of character, combining the warmth of amber glass with golden reflections and the richness of a sculptural base—ideal for an antique interior, a cabinet of curiosities, or a collection of historical lighting.