Image scanned from a transparency and color-corrected by Pat Cagney.

Images(2)

Photograph by Ed Pollard, Hasselblad H4D50 - 2019.

Kerosene Lamp

Manufacturer Boston & Sandwich Glass Co. (American, 1826-1888)

CultureAmerican

Dateca. 1860-1880s

MediumGlass with marble and ormolu

Dimensions28 9/16 in. (72.5 cm)
Diameter of inner brass collar: 1 13/16 in. (4.6 cm)
Diameter of outer brass collar: 2 1/4 in. (5.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.4868

Collections

Glass Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 116-3, Case 25

DescriptionKerosene lamp overlay glass. Bell shaped font and a baluster stem. Cobalt blue cut through to white then clear. On a three-stepped ormolu decorated marble base. Crack in one stem. Both the glass font and the stem are cut in a pattern of circles, ovals, and quatrefoils.

Label TextBoston & Sandwich Glass Co. Sandwich, Massachusetts Kerosene Lamps, ca. 1860–85 Blown, cased, and cut glass with marble and ormolu (applied gold) Gift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.4867–.4869 Lampshade, ca. 1860 Mold-blown, frosted, and cut glass with Plume & Atwood Manufacturing Co. Waterbury, Connecticut Duplex Burner, ca. 1870s–80s Brass Museum purchase 2019.3 The geometric shapes cut into the glass of these lamps resemble the windows of Gothic cathedrals and details from Moorish architecture. Such designs made them very appealing to nineteenth-century Gilded Age American consumers, who sought objects with elaborate details and historical inspiration. Only the wealthy could afford these large kerosene lamps, in part because they required constant upkeep. At home, servants would trim the wicks, refill the oil font, polish the gold finishings, and clean the smoky glass shades.Published ReferencesHugh Tait, ed., FIVE THOUSAND YEARS OF GLASS, (British Museum Press: London, 1991), pg. 193, no. 247, color. J. H. Bufford, _Catalogue of Petroleum or Kerosene Oil Lamps and Chandeliers_ (Boston, Massachusetts: Boston and Sandwich Glass Co., ca. 1875) pp. 2445, Pl. 76 and p. 2466, Pl. 77. Similar Examples Frank H. Lovell Co., _Catalogo Illustrado de Aranas P. Petroleo, Brazos de Pared, Linternas y Lamporas, Manufacturadas por Frank H. Lovell y Cia., Sucesores De Alfred Bliss y cia_ (New York: 1868-69) Pl. 11 Similar Example