Miniature Brass Oil Lamp or Kerosene Wick Burner
Lighting / Miniature Hollowware · Unidentified manufacturer; possibly Plume & Atwood or P&A Eagle (common for this style of miniature burner components), but no visible markings confirm a specific premium maker like Tiffany or Gorham.
Pattern: Generic miniature oil lamp component, traditional late-19th to early-20th century utility design.
Type
Lighting / Miniature Hollowware
Maker
Unidentified manufacturer; possibly Plume & Atwood or P&A Eagle (common for this style of miniature burner components), but no visible markings confirm a specific premium maker like Tiffany or Gorham.
Material
Brass and cotton wick. This is not silver. It is a yellow-toned base metal alloy primarily composed of copper and zinc. There is no evidence of silver (.925) or silver-plating (EPNS).
Dimensions
Estimated height of 3-5 cm with a 2 cm diameter burner base. Very lightweight (approx. 20-40 grams).
Description
This is a miniature brass burner for a small oil or kerosene lamp. It features a bright gold-tone finish, a fabric wick, and the characteristic 'teeth' of a chimney gallery. Frequently used in 'night lamps' or dollhouse-scale lighting, this piece is a functional mechanical hardware item rather than decorative silver flatware.
Key Features
Toothed chimney holder (gallery), central wick channel, threaded base, and adjustment thumbwheel.
Material & Composition
Brass and cotton wick. This is not silver. It is a yellow-toned base metal alloy primarily composed of copper and zinc. There is no evidence of silver (.925) or silver-plating (EPNS).
Finish & Decoration
Polished brass finish with a typical machine-turned or stamped luster. Features a scalloped or 'coronet' gallery edge designed to hold a glass chimney.
Hallmarks & Stamps
None visible. Often, these burners carry a patent date or manufacturer name on the thumbwheel (the small knob for raising the wick), but it is obscured in this view.
Construction Details
Machine-stamped and spun brass components. The parts are press-fit or lightly soldered together. High-volume industrial manufacturing rather than artisan hand-smithing.
Functional Features
Includes a threaded base to screw into a lamp reservoir, a thumbwheel for wick height adjustment, and a gallery for chimney attachment. A cotton wick is visible protruding from the top.
Handle & Grip Details
Features a small, knurled or embossed brass thumbwheel intended for tactile grip to adjust the flame size.
Craftsmanship Details
Standard industrial grade. The stamping of the gallery teeth is uniform, indicating a machine die-cut process.
Authentication Indicators
The yellow color is a primary indicator of brass rather than silver. The absence of hallmarks such as '925' or the Lion Passant further confirms it is not a precious metal item.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely USA or UK, potentially from a mass-production center like Waterbury, Connecticut, known for brass manufacturing.
Era & Period
Late Victorian or Edwardian style (c. 1880–1915), though these components are still reproduced today for decorative oil lamps.
Age Estimate
Mid-20th century to modern reproduction based on the bright, unpatinated surface and modern plastic packaging.
Cultural Significance
Represents the transition from candlelight to liquid fuel lighting in domestic settings during the late 19th century.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The brass shows minimal oxidation or tarnish. The wick appears unused and clean. The item is currently enclosed in protective plastic.
Value Estimate
$5.00 – $15.00 USD. Value is utilitarian or as a replacement part for a miniature lamp rather than as a precious metal collectible.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a soft cloth. If tarnish occurs, a brass-specific cleaner like Brasso can be used. Avoid contact with silver dips as they will not work on brass.
Similar Pieces
Often confused with silver-plated bougie lamps, but those are taller and made of white metal. Competes with modern electric 'flicker' bulbs in miniature decor.
Interesting Facts
Miniature oil lamps were often called 'Salesman Samples' or 'Night Lamps,' used to provide just enough light to navigate a room without the expense or heat of a full-sized lamp.