Cast iron ceiling oil lamp/lanter hook?

Hoping someone help confirm what this cast iron piece was used for. It came in a box with some old swing arm curtain hardware. It is threaded and the hook part is hinged. It measures 6 3/4" from end to end and is 2 1/4" at the widest part. It is marked Patented July 1878. When my GF bought this in WI, they thought it was a tieback but I suggested it went into the ceiling to hang an oil lamp/lantern from. A chandelier would work also as long as the weight is evenly distributed. The hook swings open freely and doesn't latch in anyway. The hook does stay closed when hanging.

 

I can tell you that there is a patent date of some time in, I think, 1879.
Looks like there are other letters there on that round part.

 

sigh . . . Never mind. I see you know that.

 

Searched: 'Victorian Ceiling Hook' (completed, sold) and it seems that's what everyone calls them. Hang your lamp, plant, birdcage or whatever from it.

The lag screws on these always seem inadequate to me. Especially for something with fire in it hanging over the table, but I suppose they did OK, although I also imagine their failure occasionally caused a bit of drama.

The decoration on yours is nice, and the latch is interesting as well. If you're snowed in, you could chase the patent down.

 

Tried to find the patent for this one, but no luck. I thought I could pull up the patent from the date. I'm not all that sure it is 1878, could be 1879. Whether 1878 or 1879 certainly is not important. Most lamp manufacturers made them or at least included them in their catalogs like Bradley & Hubbard, Miller, Pitkin & Brooks, etc. The fact this one has the hinged latch certainly is a bonus. Very few of them had them. The hinged latch were sometimes referred to as safety something or other. I found the following one with a hinged latched with a patent date of 187 something. The seller can't make out the last number. It is not the same design as yours, but may give you ideas on description. The opening/center of yours has a trefoil look.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/368275-3582/Swing-Open-Cast-Iron-x22Hanging-Store

--- Susan

 

Thanks Susan! Hope all is well with you.
Appreciate the info Steersman .

Thanks for checking in Messilane.

Was just now checking back in before heading to bed