Vintage Brass and Hand-Painted Glass Oil Lamp / Kerosene Lamp
Lighting Fixture

Vintage Brass and Hand-Painted Glass Oil Lamp / Kerosene Lamp

This is a vintage oil lamp, likely converted to electricity at some point, featuring a combination of brass metalwork and a hand-painted glass shade. The lamp stands on a circular base made of brass, adorned with intricate embossed or cast decorative patterns, possibly floral or scrolled motifs, around its circumference. The brass base appears to have a slightly darkened, aged patina, suggesting its age. Above the base, there's a spherical or urn-shaped brass font, which would have originally held kerosene or lamp oil. This section also exhibits some wear and tarnish consistent with age and use. A key or lever mechanism for adjusting the wick (if it were still an oil lamp) or as a decorative element from its original function is visible on the upper part of the font. The most prominent feature is the mushroom-shaped glass shade, which transitions from a ruffled, frosted orange/peach top rim to a wider, cream or very pale yellow body. The shade is hand-painted with large, vibrant yellow and reddish-brown roses, accompanied by green/brown leaves and smaller floral elements, distributed across its surface. The hand-painted quality, visible brushstrokes, and slight imperfections suggest it's not a mass-produced decal. The overall aesthetic is consistent with late 19th to early 20th-century design, possibly Victorian or Art Nouveau inspired due to the floral motifs and ruffled glass. The lamp currently has an electrical cord running from its base, indicating a conversion from its original fuel source to electric light, which is a common modification for antique oil lamps. The cord appears to be standard brown insulated wire. The condition of the brass suggests some polishing over time, but areas of tarnish remain, contributing to its vintage appeal. No obvious cracks or significant chips are visible on the glass shade from the provided image, though minor abrasions or paint loss would require closer inspection. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality for its period, with detailed metalwork and careful hand-painting on the shade.

Estimated Value

$250-400

Basic Information

Category

Lighting Fixture

Appraised On

October 14, 2025

Estimated Value

$250-400

Item Description

This is a vintage oil lamp, likely converted to electricity at some point, featuring a combination of brass metalwork and a hand-painted glass shade. The lamp stands on a circular base made of brass, adorned with intricate embossed or cast decorative patterns, possibly floral or scrolled motifs, around its circumference. The brass base appears to have a slightly darkened, aged patina, suggesting its age. Above the base, there's a spherical or urn-shaped brass font, which would have originally held kerosene or lamp oil. This section also exhibits some wear and tarnish consistent with age and use. A key or lever mechanism for adjusting the wick (if it were still an oil lamp) or as a decorative element from its original function is visible on the upper part of the font. The most prominent feature is the mushroom-shaped glass shade, which transitions from a ruffled, frosted orange/peach top rim to a wider, cream or very pale yellow body. The shade is hand-painted with large, vibrant yellow and reddish-brown roses, accompanied by green/brown leaves and smaller floral elements, distributed across its surface. The hand-painted quality, visible brushstrokes, and slight imperfections suggest it's not a mass-produced decal. The overall aesthetic is consistent with late 19th to early 20th-century design, possibly Victorian or Art Nouveau inspired due to the floral motifs and ruffled glass. The lamp currently has an electrical cord running from its base, indicating a conversion from its original fuel source to electric light, which is a common modification for antique oil lamps. The cord appears to be standard brown insulated wire. The condition of the brass suggests some polishing over time, but areas of tarnish remain, contributing to its vintage appeal. No obvious cracks or significant chips are visible on the glass shade from the provided image, though minor abrasions or paint loss would require closer inspection. The craftsmanship appears to be of good quality for its period, with detailed metalwork and careful hand-painting on the shade.

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