Wright And Butler Duplex Patent Cloisonne Oil Lamp Appraisal

Wright & Butler Duplex Patent Cloisonné Oil Lamp

This is a Victorian-era high-quality oil lamp featuring a sophisticated 'Duplex' style burner mechanism and a decorative ceramic or metal body finished with intricate Cloisonné-style enamel work. The burner components are constructed from spun brass, featuring a coronet chimney gallery and a perforated collar for ventilation. Distinctive maker's marks are visible on the dual winder knobs, which are inlaid with black and white ceramic or enamel discs stating 'DUPLEX PATENT', 'WRIGHT & BUTLER', and 'BIRMINGHAM', alongside the Latin phrase 'MULTUM IN PARVO'. The lower font/reservoir section displays vibrant champlevé or cloisonné enamel detailing with floral motifs in shades of red, blue, and green, set against a cream-colored textured 'crackle' background. Condition-wise, the brass shows a natural aged patina with some minor surface oxidation and spotting, typical for its 19th-century origins (circa 1880-1895). The enamel work appears largely intact, though fine crazing is visible on the background glaze. The glass chimney is present but only partially visible, secured by the decorative brass gallery. The dual-wick system indicates a superior lighting quality for its time, designed to produce a larger flame and more light than single-wick variations.