Posted 10 years ago
markdoth
(1 item)
This is an antique kerosene Edward Miller vase lamp that has been electrified. Patent date May 27, 1895. For many years it would have burned kerosene oil. The light output would have been the equivalent of a 40 watt light bulb. It would not have been lit on the bottom. The flame would have burned from a circular wick or central draft. It would have been hot, sometimes sooty and maybe a little smelly. Depending on the location in the U.S. kerosene would have given way to electric around the 1920s - 1930s and someone wired the top. I have completely cleaned the lamp, rewired the top and added bottom lighting and 3 position switch. I used two small 15 watt light bulbs in the base and a LED bulb in the top. Increasingly, I am using more and more LED color corrected bulbs. They burn less hot, last a very long time and use a fraction of the power. The flower is a peony which is large and showy as well as fragrant. Even though you can not smell the flower you can almost reach out and touch the petals. The top and bottom glass are original and are a perfect match.
I do as well. Perhaps my favorite part of the process is giving the piece new life. They are too beautiful to hid in closets, basements or attics. In addition, the craftsmanship from that time frame is almost gone. Thanks for admiring.