How do I know if my oil lamp is valuable?

Oil Lamp Maker’s Marks Like many antiques, identification marks can be one of the best ways to tell what you have and how old it is. You may find glass identification marks on the lamp, but the burner hardware is the place to find real answers.

What year did oil lamps come out?

In May of 1862, John H. Irwin created the first design for a coil oil lamp to be used with coal oils or other similar hydrocarbons. Coal oil initially emitted a smoky flame until it was refined into kerosene. This refinement allowed lamps to be used indoors.

Where did the oil lamp come from?

Argand burner, first scientifically constructed oil lamp, patented in 1784 in England by a Swiss, Aimé Argand. The first basic change in lamps in thousands of years, it applied a principle that was later adapted to gas burners.

What were ancient oil lamps for?

Ancient Oil Lamps Oil lamps were used by the ancient people of the Middle East, Europe, and Northern Africa to light their homes at night. They were fueled by fish oil, animal oil and fat but mainly by vegetable (olive) oil. A woven fibrous wick was placed in the hole at the tip of the lamp to burn the oil.

How can you tell how old a lamp is?

One of the first places to look for a date stamp or the maker’s hallmark begins with an examination of the base of the lamp. Antique Lamp Supply recommends picking up the lamp and looking for a manufacturer’s symbol, name or date stamp embedded into the base.

What lamps are worth money?

The Top Ten Most Valuable Antique Oil Lamps

No. NAME PRICE
1 Dragonfly Oil Lamp $11,869.34
2 Blue Dragon $9,500
3 LONGWY Ormolu Oil Lamp $6,700
4 Dresden Porcelain Oil Lamp $5,150

What does the Bible say about oil lamps?

[7] Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. [9] But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

How do you tell if a lamp is an antique?

Antique Lamp Supply recommends picking up the lamp and looking for a manufacturer’s symbol, name or date stamp embedded into the base. Also look on the lighting fixture itself; sometimes, the manufacturer includes a sticker that includes the name, or date of manufacture.

What does oil in the lamp mean in the Bible?

McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “represent those church members who are looking for the Bridegroom to come; and the oil-filled lamps are symbolic of the Holy Spirit which lights the way before the saints.” “And five of them were wise, and five were foolish” (v. 2).

What does oil in a lamp mean in the Bible?

What was used for lamp oil in biblical times?

In the Early Bronze Age these took the early form of a bowl filled with olive oil with a wick laid on the side of the rim and then developed by the Middle Bronze Age to the form of a pinched bowl and then in the Late Bronze-Iron Ages to the form of a saucer with a pinched part to hold the wick (whether single or …

Are vintage lamps valuable?

Most of these lamps are made of ancient materials that hold high value in society today. Check your lamps for materials like bone, ivory, quartz, tourmaline, and many other rare similar materials like this. Also, don’t forget the bulb itself. Old bulbs are now worth a fortune.

How do you clean an old oil lamp?

Just use a sink of hot soapy water and wipe the inside with an unpaper towel. Be sure to remove all soot and then rinse with hot water. And let it stand to air dry.

How can I tell how old my lamp is?

What are Stiffel lamps?

Stiffel lamps were made using a variety of materials that included bronze, brass, pewter, and silver. Finishes included brushed, polished and antique brass, polished nickel or silver, or a combination of silver and black. A few were gunmetal gray, Roman bronze or burnt umber. Most of all, look for quality.

What does oil in the lamp represent?

The ten virgins, according to Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “represent those church members who are looking for the Bridegroom to come; and the oil-filled lamps are symbolic of the Holy Spirit which lights the way before the saints.”

Why did the 10 virgins need lamps?

Lamps. The oil lamps used by the Jews in Jesus’s day are called Herodian lamps, after King Herod. These lamps enabled people to carry light wherever they went. In the same way, we are to carry the light of the gospel with us (see Matthew 5:14–16).

How do you date a vintage lamp?

Why was oil so important in the Bible?

The primary purpose of anointing with the holy anointing oil was to sanctify, to set the anointed person or object apart as qodesh, or “holy” (Exodus 30:29). Originally, the oil was used exclusively for the priests and the Tabernacle articles, but its use was later extended to include kings (1 Samuel 10:1).

What does lamp represent spiritually?

Life, the LIGHT of divinity, wisdom, intellect, and good works are all manifestations of the symbolic nature of the lamp. Lamps can also be a gateway to another plane, as in the story of Aladdin and the genie. Brings protection against dark demons, and can be the illumination of the spirit.

When were the first oil lamps used in Israel?

Early Israelite / Judaean Iron Age oil lamps, c. 1200 – 536 BC. Herod the Great’s Judaea. 73 BC – 4 BC in Jerusalem. Lovely terracotta oil lamp from the Holy Land that was in use during the time of Christ. This beautiful, stylized lamp is still useable and can be lit again with a bit of lamp oil and a small wick. #1812: $155 SOLD

When was the Holy Land oil lamp made?

Holy Land, Arab-period oil lamp 12th-13th century AD. A beautiful little wheel-made buff clay oil lamp with round base pinched to form the spout. Spout is still blackened from the ancient flame it once held!

What is the origin of the olive oil lamp?

For many millennia, all across the Mediterranean region, people relied on oil from the olives to provide them with light late into the night. The technology involved was incredibly simple: a pottery vessel, a linen wick, a dose of olive oil and a way of getting the flame started.

When was the Byzantine oil lamp made?

Byzantine period, c. 7th – 8th Century AD. Gorgeous ceramic oil lamp. Mold-made with tapered shoulders adorned with three horizontal bands containing hatching. The fill-hole is bordered with a tall rim and surrounded by a low channel which also encompasses the wick-hole. At back is a conical handle and on bottom ring base with raised circle within.