Gaslight Era Lighting Appraisal

Vintage Finger-Hold Kerosene Oil Lamp with Amber Glass Font

This is a vintage kerosene oil lamp, commonly referred to as a ‘finger-hold’ or ‘hand’ lamp, standing approximately 12 to 14 inches tall. The piece is constructed from three distinct glass sections and metal hardware. The base is made of clear pressed glass with a ribbed or fluted pattern and features an integrated circular finger handle, a design popular from the late 19th through the mid-20th century for portability. The font, or fuel reservoir, is made of an amber-colored glass in a squat, rounded shape, joined to the clear base via a glass stem. The burner assembly appears to be a standard brass or plated metal screw-on type with a side-mounted thumbwheel for adjusting the flat cotton wick. Topped with a clear glass hurricane chimney that tapers at the neck and flares slightly at the top, the lamp shows signs of age-appropriate wear. There is visible carbon buildup on the wick and soot residue within the burner and chimney. The metal components exhibit a dark patina and some oxidation, while the glass surfaces show minor surface scratches but no major chips or cracks visible in the image. Although no specific maker's mark is discernible from this angle, the style is reminiscent of lamps produced by manufacturers like Eagle or P&A during the early 20th century.