Featured Lamp Restoration

I don't have a "before," but here's the "after." This is an 1880s Parker kerosene lamp, manufactured in Connecticut, USA. I've had a multi-month project restoring this, and although the photo is a bit dark, it represents hour after hour of hand polishing, cleaning, and installing an electric light source in this hanging oil lamp. Don't worry, with a twist of the socket I can re-install the oil burner, so no harm no foul.

Anyway, this is the culmination of weeks of waiting interspersed with lots of elbow grease!

 

The oil reservoir, inside the square cast brass and copper “basket,” has a hollow cylinder inside that would have been filled with kerosene. The part on which the light bulb is seated had a flat cloth wick in contact with the kerosene, encased in a glass chimney. Raise and trim the wick, light it, and away you go. The smoke resulting from combustion would have been captured and dispersed by the metal smoke bell above, so that the hanging motor and the ceiling above would not be stained.

 

excellent work G !!!!

 

Gorgeous hanging lamp, and stellar restoration, Hopps!

 

A labour of love, with a perfect result.

 

It is shining like a diamond! Gorgeous!

 

Nice! I've done homework by kerosene lamp more than once, when the power died. They can throw more light (and heat!) than you'd think.

 

That’s a beautiful restoration. The crystal drops and the shade really make the whole lamp stand out. I also like that you converted it to electric while keeping the option to put the original oil burner back. You can definitely see the amount of time and elbow grease that went into bringing this piece back to life.

 

The combination of the ornate shade, crystal prisms and suspension mechanism really gives it that classic Victorian look. It's interesting that the electric conversion was done reversibly so the original oil burner can still be used.

 

So u really like it then..?

 

Looks wonderful, nice work. Have nice memories of working at a shop with a woman who restored and sold these back 30 years ago. They are truly the focal point of a room.