Kerosene lamps from the 19th century represent a significant development in lighting technology and played a crucial role in illuminating homes, businesses, and streets during that era. Kerosene is also known as liquid paraffin.

Prior to the introduction of kerosene lamps, lighting options were limited to candles, oil lamps, or gas lamps. Candles were the most common source of light, but they were expensive, produced limited illumination, and posed a significant fire hazard. Oil lamps, fueled by various vegetable oils, were an improvement over candles, but they were still prone to smoke, odor, and the risk of fire. The arrival of kerosene lamps in the mid-19th century marked a turning point in lighting technology.

Kerosene, a flammable hydrocarbon liquid derived from petroleum, became a popular fuel for lamps due to its clean-burning properties and relatively low cost. Kerosene lamps were more efficient and produced a brighter, steadier light more...

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Pair of French antique porcelain body oil lamps, with rural…

French Porcelain Oil Lamps with Rural Scenes

Pair of French antique porcelain body oil lamps, with rural scenes

Antique French figural oil lamp

French Figural Oil Lamp

Antique French figural oil lamp

Antique French oil lamp

French Antique Oil Lamp

Antique French oil lamp

Pair of antique French Renaissance style oil lamps on stands (2)

French Renaissance Oil Lamps on Stands (Pair)

Pair of antique French Renaissance style oil lamps on stands (2)

A pair of French spelter lamps, 3rd quarter 19th century, grand…

French Napoleon III Style Spelter Spirit Lamps

A pair of French spelter lamps, 3rd quarter 19th century, grand Napoleon III style spirit lamps of ovoid and waisted form with decorative gilt mounts, raised upon stemmed stands and surmounted by cylindrical glass flues; now wired for electricity. Height…

A small French Art Nouveau desk oil lamp, with pink blush…

French Art Nouveau Desk Lamp with Pink Blush Glass Shade

A small French Art Nouveau desk oil lamp, with pink blush moulded glass shade, single burner, cranberry blush frosted glass font resting on a brass floral emblem fretwork base from the collection of P. D. White part III 45 cm high

A pair of French spelter lamps, 3rd quarter 19th century, grand…

Napoleon III Style Spelter Spirit Lamps

A pair of French spelter lamps, 3rd quarter 19th century, grand Napoleon III style spirit lamps of ovoid and waisted form with decorative gilt mounts, raised upon stemmed stands and surmounted by cylindrical glass flues; now wired for electricity. Height…

A French marble and glass kerosene lamp, circa 1900, with a…

Rococo-inspired French Marble and Glass Kerosene Lamp

A French marble and glass kerosene lamp, circa 1900, with a marble shaft in modulating shades of russet tan and cream upon a rococo and belle epoque inspired ormolu base and with a similarly decorated capital surmounted by a clear glass fluted font and…

A French Art Nouveau table lamp on Pyramid fret work cast iron…

Green Floral Art Nouveau Table Lamp

A French Art Nouveau table lamp on Pyramid fret work cast iron base supporting a green milk glass font hand painted with enamel flowers and butterflies, supporting a brass double burner and a bell shaped green frosted and decorated shade. Height 59 cm

Two antique French green glass oil lamp bases (2)

Pair of French Green Glass Oil Lamp Bases

Two antique French green glass oil lamp bases (2)

Pair of antique French oil lamps, hand painted porcelain bodies…

French Porcelain Oil Lamps with Brass Mounts and Glass Shades

Pair of antique French oil lamps, hand painted porcelain bodies fitted with cast brass mounts, etched glass shades and flues, approx 56 cm high (2)

Antique French oil lamp, 63 cm high

63cm Antique French Oil Lamp

Antique French oil lamp, 63 cm high

French oil lamp, 55 cm high

55cm French Oil Lamp

French oil lamp, 55 cm high

Antique French oil lamp, approx 67 cm high

Antique French Oil Lamp - 67cm High

Antique French oil lamp, approx 67 cm high

A French 19th century kerosene bronzed table lamp, the stem…

Bronzed Cherub Table Lamp with Fabric Shade

A French 19th century kerosene bronzed table lamp, the stem cast of a draped cherub holding a fluted glass font, with later electrician and a fabric shade

Antique French oil lamp, approx 61.5 cm high

French Antique Oil Lamp - 61.5cm

Antique French oil lamp, approx 61.5 cm high

French 'Lampe-Pigeon' antique brass oil lamp (17.5 cm); plus…

Antique Brass Oil Lamp and Ship Plaques

French 'Lampe-Pigeon' antique brass oil lamp (17.5 cm); plus two brass ships plaques 'Galley' & 'Saloon' (15 x 4 cm each), c1900

A 19th century French oil lamp

French 19th Century Oil Lamp

A 19th century French oil lamp

Antique French blue glass oil lamp, approx 56 cm high

French Blue Glass Oil Lamp - 56cm High

Antique French blue glass oil lamp, approx 56 cm high

A French late 19th century oil lamp, with a Cantonese porcelain…

Late 19th Century Cantonese Porcelain Oil Lamp

A French late 19th century oil lamp, with a Cantonese porcelain font, with domestic scenes with a carved base, later electrification with fabric shade. 73 cm high

Pair of French oil lamp bases, approx 40 cm high (2)

French oil lamp bases, 40 cm high (2)

Pair of French oil lamp bases, approx 40 cm high (2)

Antique French brass framed tri form support oil lamp, with…

French Tri-Form Brass Oil Lamp with Electric Light

Antique French brass framed tri form support oil lamp, with later electric light, 178 cm high

French waffle iron & an oil lamp, approx 37 cm dia and smaller…

French Waffle Iron & Oil Lamp Set

French waffle iron & an oil lamp, approx 37 cm dia and smaller (2)

A French porcelain banquet lamp, baluster form with painted…

French Porcelain Banquet Lamp with Floral Reserves and Frosted Shade

A French porcelain banquet lamp, baluster form with painted reserves of flowers above a double burner and frosted shade

French silver 800 standard Napoleonic oil lamp with etched…

Napoleonic Silver Oil Lamp with Etched Floral Detail

French silver 800 standard Napoleonic oil lamp with etched scroll work, floral detail & an eagle head handle. Reims, Soissons. Length - 11 cm. Weight 83g

Antique French oil lamp with rouge marble support on an Art…

French Art Nouveau Oil Lamp with Marble Support

Antique French oil lamp with rouge marble support on an Art Nouveau base, approx 71 cm high

Antique French clear glass oil lamp, approx 48 cm high

48cm Antique French Clear Glass Oil Lamp

Antique French clear glass oil lamp, approx 48 cm high

Pair of antique French porcelain oil lamps, with mint green and…

French Porcelain Oil Lamps with Floral Design (2)

Pair of antique French porcelain oil lamps, with mint green and floral decoration, approx 50 cm and 52 cm high (2)

Antique French clear glass oil lamp, approx 48 cm high

French Clear Glass Oil Lamp - 48cm Height

Antique French clear glass oil lamp, approx 48 cm high

A pair of French bronze and ormolu banquet lamps, 19th century…

French Bronze Banquet Lamps, 19th Century

A pair of French bronze and ormolu banquet lamps, 19th century each raised on a tripod base, with an acanthus leaf trimmed columnar standard, 92 cm total height

Gaudard French ruby glass kerosene banquet lamp with a ruby…

Gaudard Ruby Glass Kerosene Banquet Lamp with Floral Design

Gaudard French ruby glass kerosene banquet lamp with a ruby floral well, flu & shade on a gilded metal stand. Condition good, small chip to the bowl rim. Height 71 cm

A pair of French sculptured and embossed brass kerosene lamps…

French Brass Kerosene Lamps with Engraved Shades

A pair of French sculptured and embossed brass kerosene lamps with engraved shades

French oil lamp with onyx base, approx 68 cm high

Onyx-based French oil lamp, 68cm high

French oil lamp with onyx base, approx 68 cm high

Antique French Louis Phillipe oil lamp, of baluster form,…

French Louis Phillipe Oil Lamp with Bronze Mounts

Antique French Louis Phillipe oil lamp, of baluster form, bronze mounts, gilt banding with central classical medallion. Ex Leo Schofield collection. Approx 56 cm high

Pair of antique French porcelain bodied oil lamps, painted with…

French Porcelain Oil Lamps with Bronze Bases (Pair)

Pair of antique French porcelain bodied oil lamps, painted with ribbon tied cartouches of sprays of flowers, standing on bronze bases (2)

Antique 19th century French oil lamp, gilt bronze mounts, royal…

French Blue Porcelain Oil Lamp with Gilt Bronze Mounts

Antique 19th century French oil lamp, gilt bronze mounts, royal blue porcelain body, approx 71 cm high

Pair of antique 19th century French oil lamps, each fitted with…

Antique French Oil Lamps with Bronze Mounts (Pair)

Pair of antique 19th century French oil lamps, each fitted with bronze mounts, approx 66.5 cm high (2)

Antique French brass oil lamp, approx. 60 cm high

French Brass Oil Lamp - 60cm Height

Antique French brass oil lamp, approx. 60 cm high

Antique French oil lamp converted to electric, approx. 44 cm…

French Antique Oil Lamp - Electric Converted

Antique French oil lamp converted to electric, approx. 44 cm high

An Edwardian silver plate Corinthian column oil lamp with cut…

Corinthian Column Oil Lamp with Crystal Font and Inscription

An Edwardian silver plate Corinthian column oil lamp with cut crystal font, with hobnail-cut font the column on stepped square base, with a French inscription 'Un Dieu, Un Roy', marked 'Hardy Bros. Sydney Brisbane English Maker', 72 cm high

An antique French white porcelain banquet oil lamp. Original…

French Porcelain Banquet Oil Lamp with Original Shade

An antique French white porcelain banquet oil lamp. Original fittings and shade.

A late 19th century French Baccarat banquet lamp, depose…

French Baccarat Banquet Lamp with Acid-Etched Shade

A late 19th century French Baccarat banquet lamp, depose Pinwheel, with swirl glass body on square base and acid-etched shade. Height 92 cm.

French white metal & blue glass oil lamp, approx 70 cm high

French Blue Glass Oil Lamp - 70cm High

French white metal & blue glass oil lamp, approx 70 cm high

Antique French oil lamp with an amber glass reservoir, approx…

French Amber Glass Oil Lamp - 67cm

Antique French oil lamp with an amber glass reservoir, approx 67 cm high

Antique French oil lamp, green marble and bronze mounts, ruby…

French Green Marble Oil Lamp with Ruby Reservoir

Antique French oil lamp, green marble and bronze mounts, ruby to clear reservoir, approx 76 cm high

Pair of French blue glass & ormolu oil lamps, illustrated with…

French Blue Glass and Ormolu Napoleon Oil Lamps

Pair of French blue glass & ormolu oil lamps, illustrated with Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte, 57 cm high

French oil lamp with shells in reservoir, 58 cm high

Shell Reservoir French Oil Lamp

French oil lamp with shells in reservoir, 58 cm high

Pair of French Napoleon III oil lamps, hand painted and…

Converted French Napoleon III Oil Lamps (Pair)

Pair of French Napoleon III oil lamps, hand painted and transferred print reservoir, converted to electric, each 74 cm high (2)

Pair of antique Satsuma pottery French oil lamps, each 43 cm…

Antique Satsuma Pottery French Oil Lamps (Pair)

Pair of antique Satsuma pottery French oil lamps, each 43 cm high (2)

Pair of antique French oil lamps with pottery bodies and bronze…

Antique French Pottery Oil Lamps with Bronze Mounts (Pair)

Pair of antique French oil lamps with pottery bodies and bronze mounts, converted, each 37 cm high (2)

Two antique French whale oil lamps, 36 cm high

Antique French Whale Oil Lamps (10 words exactly)

Two antique French whale oil lamps, 36 cm high

Antique French gilt bronze oil standard lamp with circular…

French Gilt Bronze Oil Standard Lamp with Marble Base

Antique French gilt bronze oil standard lamp with circular marble drink later electrified, 185 cm high

Antique French 'Poyard' metal oil signal lamp, marked to body,…

French Metal Oil Signal Lamp with Brass Plaque

Antique French 'Poyard' metal oil signal lamp, marked to body, with brass plaque specifying details. Believed to be in working condition. Height 36 cm

Antique French oil lamp, 75 cm high

French Antique Oil Lamp - 75cm Tall

Antique French oil lamp, 75 cm high

Antique French figural oil lamp, Le Proges, 60 cm high

French Figural Oil Lamp by Le Proges (60cm)

Antique French figural oil lamp, Le Proges, 60 cm high

Antique French oil lamp converted, 72 cm high, 18 cm wide

Converted Antique French Oil Lamp - 72cm High

Antique French oil lamp converted, 72 cm high, 18 cm wide

Antique French oil lamp, with brass mounts of lion heads and…

French Brass Oil Lamp with Lion Head Mounts

Antique French oil lamp, with brass mounts of lion heads and paw feet, 52 cm high

Antique French silver plate & brass oil lamp, 44 cm high

French Silver Plate Oil Lamp, 44 cm High

Antique French silver plate & brass oil lamp, 44 cm high

Antique French brass oil lamp with a jewelled shade, 45 cm high

French Brass Oil Lamp with Jewelled Shade

Antique French brass oil lamp with a jewelled shade, 45 cm high

French oil lamp, with amber reservoir, 53 cm high

Amber French Oil Lamp - 53cm High

French oil lamp, with amber reservoir, 53 cm high

French clear glass reservoir oil lamp, with porcelain base, 55…

French Glass & Porcelain Oil Lamp, 55cm High

French clear glass reservoir oil lamp, with porcelain base, 55 cm high

Antique French figural bronze oil lamp, 72 cm high

French Bronze Figural Oil Lamp - 72cm Height

Antique French figural bronze oil lamp, 72 cm high

A small French earthenware oil lamp, late 19th century, by…

French Earthenware Oil Lamp with Pink Glass Shade

A small French earthenware oil lamp, late 19th century, by Keller et Guerin, Luneville, a pear-shaped earthenware base with bird and floral transfer decoration, supporting a brass mechanism and a globular pink glass shade with a ruffled, rim, maker's…

A small French porcelain oil lamp, late 19th century, brass…

French Porcelain Oil Lamp with Indigo Bird Decoration

A small French porcelain oil lamp, late 19th century, brass neck marked boulle and Paris, a cylindrical porcelain font with indigo transferware decoration of a bird, amongst bramble berries on a white ground, set within brass mounts and having, a globular…

A fine French argand or Quinquet type bronze oil lamp, 19th…

French Renaissance Revival Bronze Oil Lamp

A fine French argand or Quinquet type bronze oil lamp, 19th century, with maker's mark of Love & Harvey, Paris, finely modelled in the Renaissance revival manner as an antique style oil, lamp with a central stem and spreading base, original burner…

An antique French fuel lamp, early 20th century, with a ceramic…

French Ceramic Fuel Lamp with Floral Design

An antique French fuel lamp, early 20th century, with a ceramic globular font decorated with floral, bird and insect, transferware designs, raised on a circular metal base, with original mounts, and fittings, glass chimney and a pink domed glass shade,…

An antique French fuel lamp, early 20th century, with a ceramic…

French Ceramic Fuel Lamp with Floral Designs

An antique French fuel lamp, early 20th century, with a ceramic globular font decorated with floral, bird and insect, transferware designs, raised on a circular metal base, with original mounts, and fittings, glass chimney and a mint green ribbed and…

A French cast lamp with a glass shade in the Renaissance…

French Renaissance Revival Lamp with Glass Shade

A French cast lamp with a glass shade in the Renaissance revival and Louis XVI styles, late 19th century originally an oil lamp, with a pierced cast base decorated with mascarons, a festooned urn form stem decorated and supporting a domed white glass…

A French porcelain and metalware oil lamp, later 19th century,…

French Porcelain and Metalware Oil Lamp, 19th Century

A French porcelain and metalware oil lamp, later 19th century, with maker's mark for L&B Brevetes, the baluster shaped font with bird and berry transferware designs upon a cast, leafy base, with brass burner mechanism, no chimney, height 34.5 cm

A pair of vintage French lamps in brass and white metal, late…

French Brass Kerosene Lamps, Late 19th Century

A pair of vintage French lamps in brass and white metal, late 19th century, one 'Lampe Pigeon' and one 'Lampe Olympe', kerosene lamps with all fittings, and glass chimneys, height 23 cm

An antique French oil lamp, later 19th century, with mark of SS…

French Porcelain Oil Lamp with Cranberry Glass Shade

An antique French oil lamp, later 19th century, with mark of SS Paris to mechanism, with a baluster shaped porcelain font with transferware designs of a heron, and one other bird upon an ivory ground, with brass mounts, a cranberry glass, frilled shade…

An antique French oil lamp, later 19th century, unmarked,…

French Porcelain Oil Lamp with Brass Mounts and Glass Collar

An antique French oil lamp, later 19th century, unmarked, having an ovoid porcelain font decorated with transferware zygo cactus and birds upon an ivory ground, with brass mounts, a pink petal form glass collar, and chimney, height 46 cm

An antique oil lamp, later 19th century, mark of HS with…

Antique Porcelain Oil Lamp with Brass Mounts

An antique oil lamp, later 19th century, mark of HS with English import mark (in French), an urn form porcelain font of moulded shape with transferware meadow flower, and bird designs upon a cream ground, with brass mounts, a frilled cup shape, etched and…

An antique French oil lamp, later 19th century, marked Guardard…

French Porcelain Oil Lamp with Brass Mounts

An antique French oil lamp, later 19th century, marked Guardard and made in France to mechanism, having an ovoid porcelain font with transferware decorations upon a deep, ivory ground, with brass mounts, an apricot petal form glass collar and chimney,…

A pair of French Electrified tole oil lamps by Brevete, circa…

French Electrified Tole Oil Lamps with Ormolu Stands, 1890

A pair of French Electrified tole oil lamps by Brevete, circa 1890, each on ormolu stand, with shade and silk cord 75 cm high 29 1/2in high). (2)

A pair of French 19th century oil lamps, Madeleine Castaing,…

French 19th Century Floral Oil Lamps with Ormolu Mounts

A pair of French 19th century oil lamps, Madeleine Castaing, Galerie Etienne Thuriet Now electrified, of baluster form with pink ground and reserve of floral spray, with ormolu mounts, 81 cm high

Antique French oil lamp, blue glass reservoir, 63 cm high

French Blue Glass Oil Lamp, 63cm High

Antique French oil lamp, blue glass reservoir, 63 cm high

A French fuel lamp, 19th century, the lamp with a porcelain…

19th Century French Porcelain Fuel Lamp

A French fuel lamp, 19th century, the lamp with a porcelain font decorated with the transfer design of a woman in a plumed hat amidst foliage, raised on a shaped cast brass base, with original brass fittings and dials, and having a white dome glass shade…

A French oil lamp with a Japanese Satsuma style base, 19th…

French-Japanese Oil Lamp, 19th Century, Hugo Marked Mechanism

A French oil lamp with a Japanese Satsuma style base, 19th century, with mark of Hugo to mechanism, the baluster earthenware base in sprayed red terracotta colours and enamel decorated with trailing flora, a decorative border to the neck, housed in a…

A French fuel lamp, 19th century, the lamp with a shaped…

19th Century French Fuel Lamp with Porcelain Font and Brass Base

A French fuel lamp, 19th century, the lamp with a shaped porcelain font in autumnal colours raised on a pierced and cast brass base, with original brass fittings and dials, and having a white glass conical shade and glass chimney, height 57 cm

Antique French oil lamp with oriental hand painted font, 56 cm…

French-Oriental Oil Lamp (56cm)

Antique French oil lamp with oriental hand painted font, 56 cm high including chimney

A Second Empire oil lamp, the base in gilt and patinated bronze…

Gilt Bronze Putti Oil Lamp with Etched Glass Shade

A Second Empire oil lamp, the base in gilt and patinated bronze in the form of a putti on a neoclassical column with floral garlands, with an acid etched pink glass shade and clear glass flu and oil well. French circa 1870. 73 x 15 cm

Desvres French porcelain oil lamp with gilt metal cover, late…

Desvres Porcelain Oil Lamp with Gilt Metal Cover

Desvres French porcelain oil lamp with gilt metal cover, late 19th century, marked 'Desvres, France, G.S. Made in France, 17.5 cm high

A tall French glass kerosene lamp.

French Kerosene Lamp: Tall and Elegant

A tall French glass kerosene lamp.

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, the…

French Ceramic Fuel Lamp with Polychrome Flora and Butterflies

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, the cylindrical base decorated with polychrome flora and butterflies, with brass mounts, glass chimney and a frosted tulip shaped glass shade, height 56 cm

An antique French milk glass fuel lamp, late 19th century, with…

French Milk Glass Fuel Lamp with Gladiator Mechanism

An antique French milk glass fuel lamp, late 19th century, with mechanism by gladiator, a floral sprigged shaped font upon a waisted and cup form stem to a broad, base, with brass mechanism, and a conical pink and white glass shade with rose and ribbon…

French pink vaseline glass parlour lamp of unusual design

Unusual French Pink Vaseline Glass Parlour Lamp

French pink vaseline glass parlour lamp of unusual design

A French silver plated oil lamp, late 19th century/early 20th…

French Silver Plated Oil Lamp, Late 19th Century

A French silver plated oil lamp, late 19th century/early 20th century, 87 cm high

An ornate French converted kerosene lamp, a highly ornate…

French Putti Lamp Conversion

An ornate French converted kerosene lamp, a highly ornate silvered and polished brass lamp base decorated with putti, lion masks, floral swags, raised on four paw feet, converted to electricity. Height 60 cm.

A good pair of French heavily embossed gilt bronze Carcel lamps.…

French Gilt Bronze Carcel Lamps, Circa 1850

A good pair of French heavily embossed gilt bronze Carcel lamps. Circa 1850. The body depicting mask heads and scroll work with key wind base. No key. Height 80 cm.

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, the…

French Ceramic Fuel Lamp with Bird and Floral Decoration

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, the baluster base with transferware decoration featuring a maroon bird and trailing floral, with brass mechanism, a glass chimney and a white mushroom cap shade, height 54 cm

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, the…

French Ceramic Fuel Lamp with Brass Mounts and Opalescent Shade

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, the ovoid cream base transferware decorated with birds and flora, with brass mounts and base, a glass chimney and a fluted cream opalescent floriform shade, height 56 cm

An antique French milk glass fuel lamp, late 19th century, with…

French Milk Glass Fuel Lamp with Gladiator Mechanism

An antique French milk glass fuel lamp, late 19th century, with mechanism by gladiator, a floral sprigged shaped font upon a waisted and cup form stem to a broad base, with brass mechanism, and a conical pink and white glass shade with rose and ribbon…

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, with…

French Ceramic Fuel Lamp with Kosmos Brenner Mechanism

An antique French ceramic fuel lamp, late 19th century, with mechanism by Kosmos Brenner, the cream ceramic base transfer decorated with flora and a petite figure in a tree house, with burner mechanism, glass chimney and a white mushroom cap shade, height…

Victorian French sky blue glass kerosene lamp cylindrical form…

French Victorian Sky Blue Glass Kerosene Lamp with Floral Spray

Victorian French sky blue glass kerosene lamp cylindrical form hand painted with floral spray, frosted glass balloon shade (no funnel) 52 cm overall height

An substantial antique cut flashed glass banquet lamp, French,…

French Cut Glass Banquet Lamp, Early 20th Century

An substantial antique cut flashed glass banquet lamp, French, early 20th century, the slice cut green glass reservoir and stem with brass fittings raised on a stepped marble and cast brass foot (lacking burner), height 70 cm