Bronze Tin Plate And Brass French Moderator Lamp C. 1850 - Complete And
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:206766 |
Moderatorlamps were used widely from 1840 – 1870. Before the invention of paraffin in1850 domestic oil lamps used thick ‘Colza’ oil, made from rape seed.Thethickness of the oil prevents it from travelling up the wick to feed theburner, so high quality lamps began to be fitted with internal pump mechanismsin order to push the oil to the top of the burner. Themoderator lamp employed a large piston held under pressure by a large spring, much like the workings of a bicycle pump. ...;Theselamps were manufactured in France and exported all over the world. They wereused in large houses right up to the turn of the 19th century and were soefficient, some were used during the first world war when paraffin suppliesliterally dried up. Exampletoday are rare enough, working examples practically non-existent as the colzaoil solidifies inside the lamp completely seizing the mechanism. Thelamps were expensive and usually heavily decorated bronze or porcelain and manywere converted to paraffin and later electricity.
This medium sized lamp has a lovely classic corinthian column design. The body is made from tin plate and brass and has a bronze colour finish. Thelamp has been totally reconditioned to working order. It even has an original mineral glass moderator lamp chimney. The lamp stands 19.5 inches tall with the chimney.
Thislamp uses liquid paraffin, available from online Pet Shops. This does notsolidify or break down like rape seed oil and therefore won’t clog themechanism even if you leave it inside for a while. The spring is wound usingthe larger ‘Key’ on the burner and the smaller winder adjusts the wick height.Once wound it will burn for over 4 hours and give a bright white light and nosmell!Itwill be supplied with full instructions. You can NOT use normal Paraffin orLamp oil under any circumstances!
This medium sized lamp has a lovely classic corinthian column design. The body is made from tin plate and brass and has a bronze colour finish. Thelamp has been totally reconditioned to working order. It even has an original mineral glass moderator lamp chimney. The lamp stands 19.5 inches tall with the chimney.
Thislamp uses liquid paraffin, available from online Pet Shops. This does notsolidify or break down like rape seed oil and therefore won’t clog themechanism even if you leave it inside for a while. The spring is wound usingthe larger ‘Key’ on the burner and the smaller winder adjusts the wick height.Once wound it will burn for over 4 hours and give a bright white light and nosmell!Itwill be supplied with full instructions. You can NOT use normal Paraffin orLamp oil under any circumstances!
