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...

95 items found:

These items have been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.

If you are seeking to purchase similar items CLICK HERE to view 45 similar items being offered for sale by dealers at our AntiquesPlus site.

A painted opaque glass oil lamp, labelled The Silber Light…

A painted opaque glass oil lamp, labelled The Silber Light Company London, English circa 1900, 50 cm high

A cast-metal oil lamp base, probably American, circa 1900, base…

A cast-metal oil lamp base, probably American, circa 1900, base marked P.L and B co. Dimensions: 42 cm high,17 cm diameter

Setsuko Ogishi Australian art glass oil lamp signed to base,…

Setsuko Ogishi Australian art glass oil lamp signed to base, height 11 cm

An early 20th century kerosene lamp with uranium glass mid…

Antique Uranium Glass Kerosene Lamp with Milk Glass Shade

An early 20th century kerosene lamp with uranium glass mid section, height 34 cm comes with milk glass shade but no spider to hold it,

An ancient terracotta oil lamp, 9 cm Length

Terracotta Oil Lamp: Ancient Artifact of Light

An ancient terracotta oil lamp, 9 cm Length

Three clay pots and an oil lamp from Panama

Panamanian Pottery and Lamp Collection

Three clay pots and an oil lamp from Panama

A Nailsea glass and Doulton Burslem fairy lamp, late 19th…

Nailsea Glass and Doulton Burslem Fairy Lamp

A Nailsea glass and Doulton Burslem fairy lamp, late 19th century, a citron verre moire shade in an S. Clarke moulded cup upon a flower decorated stand with a compressed font, bulbous feature to the stem above a domed base; impressed Doulton Burslem and…

A late 19th century oil lamp, with enamelled floral decoration…

Enamelled Floral Oil Lamp - 19th Century

A late 19th century oil lamp, with enamelled floral decoration to reservoir . Height 68 cm.

A late 19th century oil lamp, with enamelled floral decoration…

Enamelled Floral Oil Lamp, Late 19th Century

A late 19th century oil lamp, with enamelled floral decoration to reservoir. Height 58 cm.

A late 19th century pressed amber glass oil lamp, with Grecian…

Pressed Amber Glass Oil Lamp with Grecian Key Pattern

A late 19th century pressed amber glass oil lamp, with Grecian key pattern to reservoir. Height 43 cm.

A pressed glass oil lamp. Height 43 cm

43cm Pressed Glass Oil Lamp

A pressed glass oil lamp. Height 43 cm

An antique American oil lamp with milk glass shade and chimney,…

19th/20th Century American Oil Lamp with Milk Glass Shade

An antique American oil lamp with milk glass shade and chimney, 19th/20th century, 54 cm high overall

Spirit lamp, late 19th century, duplex burner with reeded…

Late 19th Century Corinthian Spirit Lamp

Spirit lamp, late 19th century, duplex burner with reeded Corinthian column motif and glass font, height 53 cm

An antique oil lamp with milk glass shade and chimney, early…

Early 20th Century Milk Glass Oil Lamp

An antique oil lamp with milk glass shade and chimney, early 20th century, 51 cm high overall

Antique German kerosene lamp with Hugo Schneider Hasag burner…

German Majolica Kerosene Lamp with Hasag Burner

Antique German kerosene lamp with Hugo Schneider Hasag burner and majolica base with handle, 49 cm high

Antique kerosene lamp with clear glass reservoir, height 52.5…

Clear Glass Kerosene Lamp (52.5 cm)

Antique kerosene lamp with clear glass reservoir, height 52.5 cm.

A set of four modern blown glass oil lamps by Wolfard, USA, the…

Modern Blown Glass Oil Lamps Set by Wolfard, USA

A set of four modern blown glass oil lamps by Wolfard, USA, the largest 30.5 cm high

Benson English Arts & Crafts oil lamp model No.293/K with…

English Arts & Crafts Oil Lamp with Vaseline Glass Shade

Benson English Arts & Crafts oil lamp model No.293/K with original Whitefriars lemon vaseline glass shade, black button double burner and chimney, factory stamp to base, late 19th century, 56 cm high overall

Two antique Bismarck oil lamps, late 19th early 20th century,…

Pair of Bismarck Oil Lamps, Late 19th-20th Century

Two antique Bismarck oil lamps, late 19th early 20th century, 52 cm and 57 cm high

Four coloured and moulded glass kerosene lamps, early 20th…

Coloured Glass Kerosene Lamps Set of 4

Four coloured and moulded glass kerosene lamps, early 20th century, (4 items), the largest 56 cm high

Four moulded clear glass kerosene lamps, early 20th century, (4…

Set of 4 Clear Glass Kerosene Lamps - Early 20th Century

Four moulded clear glass kerosene lamps, early 20th century, (4 items), the largest 43.5 cm high,

Six small portable kerosene lamps, late 19th and early 20th…

Set of Six Antique Kerosene Lamps

Six small portable kerosene lamps, late 19th and early 20th century, (6 items), the largest 27.5 cm high,

Six portable kerosene lamps, early 20th century, (6 items), the…

Set of 6 Antique Kerosene Lamps

Six portable kerosene lamps, early 20th century, (6 items), the largest 33 cm high,

An antique wall sconce oil lamp with single Sherwood burner and…

Antique Wall Sconce Oil Lamp with Sherwood Burner

An antique wall sconce oil lamp with single Sherwood burner and glass chimney, 50 cm high overall

A collection of vintage blown glass desk oil lamps, comprising…

Vintage Blown Glass Desk Oil Lamp Collection in Cedar Box

A collection of vintage blown glass desk oil lamps, comprising eight pieces in an antique cedar box, the largest 11 cm high

Camerco German kerosene lamp height 52 cm

52 cm Camerco German Kerosene Lamp

Camerco German kerosene lamp height 52 cm

Two antique oil lamps, 19th century, 45 cm and 50 cm high

Pair of 19th Century Oil Lamps, 45-50cm High

Two antique oil lamps, 19th century, 45 cm and 50 cm high

Two oil lamps, two sphinx seals and a cup, 1st century A.D. and…

Antiquities: Oil lamps, sphinx seals, and cup

Two oil lamps, two sphinx seals and a cup, 1st century A.D. and later, the cup 9 cm wide

A 19th century Corinthian column oil lamp, no shade. Height 55…

Corinthian Column Oil Lamp (No Shade) - 55cm Height

A 19th century Corinthian column oil lamp, no shade. Height 55 cm.

Vintage Sherrin football, Beatrice coffee grinder, vintage oil…

Vintage Collection: Football, Grinder, Lamp, Dumbbell & More

Vintage Sherrin football, Beatrice coffee grinder, vintage oil lamp, old dumbbell weight, Guinness advertising ware match vesta and a Courvoisier cognac yellow plastic bowl, (6 items), the lamp 38 cm high

A pair of 19th century style amber oil lamps with moulded shade…

19th Century Amber Oil Lamps on Alabaster Base

A pair of 19th century style amber oil lamps with moulded shade and font on alabaster base, 51 cm high.

A pair of pressed glass oil lamps with embossed Greek key motif,…

Embossed Greek Key Oil Lamps, Early 20th Century

A pair of pressed glass oil lamps with embossed Greek key motif, early 20th century, the larger 44 cm high overall

Two Crown Disney oil lamps made in Japan, Dopey and Bashful, 24…

Disney Oil Lamps: Dopey and Bashful, Made in Japan

Two Crown Disney oil lamps made in Japan, Dopey and Bashful, 24 cm high approx tallest

Kerosene road safety lamp 37 cm high

37cm Kerosene Safety Lamp for Road Use

Kerosene road safety lamp 37 cm high

Two antique Kings Lamp automobile car lamps with Sherwood oil…

Antique Kings Lamp Car Lamps with Sherwood Burners

Two antique Kings Lamp automobile car lamps with Sherwood oil burners, complete but some parts loose, 31 cm high

A glass Victorian/Edwardian kerosene lamp, height 51 cm

Victorian/Edwardian Kerosene Lamp - 51 cm Height

A glass Victorian/Edwardian kerosene lamp, height 51 cm

A Victorian telescopic torchere lampstand, the major column…

Victorian Telescopic Torchere Lampstand with Kerosene/Electric Option

A Victorian telescopic torchere lampstand, the major column fluted and with Corinthian capital issuing from a stepped square base with ball and claw feet to each corner. The telescoping column surmounted by a bowl to hold a kerosene lamp (but removable to…

Vintage American oil lamp with embossed decoration and glass…

Embossed Vintage American Oil Lamp, Glass Flue, 57cm Height

Vintage American oil lamp with embossed decoration and glass flue, burner missing, height 57 cm

Austramax kerosene pressure lantern lamp Australia, 47 cm high,…

Austramax Kerosene Lantern - 47cm Height

Austramax kerosene pressure lantern lamp Australia, 47 cm high, this item

Four Carlton Ware Rouge Royale 'New Mikado' and similar wares a…

Carlton Ware Rouge Royale Chinoiserie Collection

Four Carlton Ware Rouge Royale 'New Mikado' and similar wares a large, bowl, candelabrum, dish and table lighter, circa 1950s and later, pattern introduced 1923 and attributed to Enoch, Boulton, this variation pattern 2727, a new Mikado bowl and a…

A Corinthian column kerosene lamp. 54 cm high.

Corinthian Kerosene Lamp - 54cm Height

A Corinthian column kerosene lamp. 54 cm high.

A whale oil lamp, pewter, English, 19th century, 22 cm high

19th Century English Whale Oil Lamp in Pewter

A whale oil lamp, pewter, English, 19th century, 22 cm high

Pair of tall silverplate Corinthian column oil lamps, with cut…

Tall Silverplate Corinthian Column Oil Lamps with Cut Glass Reservoirs

Pair of tall silverplate Corinthian column oil lamps, with cut glass reservoirs, fluted tapering columns, square plinths applied on each side with laurel wreaths, on stepped beaded bases, (later adapted for electricity) 71 cm height.

Antique American Kerosene Lamp

Vintage Kerosene Lamp

Antique American Kerosene Lamp

Victorian oil lamp, height 48 cm

Victorian Oil Lamp - 48cm Height

Victorian oil lamp, height 48 cm

Antique oil lamp, clear glass reservoir, 80 cm high

Tall Clear Glass Antique Oil Lamp - 80cm High

Antique oil lamp, clear glass reservoir, 80 cm high

An oil Burning lamp, purple glass with opaque white shade,…

Purple Glass Oil Lamp with Opaque White Shade

An oil Burning lamp, purple glass with opaque white shade, height 35 cm

Antique oil lamp, complete with shade, chimney, British duplex…

Antique Oil Lamp with British Burners and Glass Font

Antique oil lamp, complete with shade, chimney, British duplex burners and glass font, 59 cm high

Two Veritas Famos oil lamps, 67 cm high

Pair of 67cm Veritas Famos Oil Lamps

Two Veritas Famos oil lamps, 67 cm high

Victorian kerosene lamp with vaseline glass bowl and etched…

Victorian Vaseline Glass Kerosene Lamp with Etched Shade

Victorian kerosene lamp with vaseline glass bowl and etched shade, height 64 cm to top of shade

Edwardian oil lamp, with frosted glass shade, above a facetted…

Frosted Glass Oil Lamp with Facetted Bowl, 69cm Height

Edwardian oil lamp, with frosted glass shade, above a facetted glass bowl, above a reeded stem on circular foot, height 69 cm

Earthenware teapot and Persian oil lamp, relief decorated with…

Blossom Relief Earthenware Teapot and Persian Oil Lamp

Earthenware teapot and Persian oil lamp, relief decorated with blossom, oil lamp c.900 A.Depth

A small unusual oil lamp, of two-handled urn shape. Birmingham…

Small 1919 Birmingham oil lamp by Lawrence Emanuel

A small unusual oil lamp, of two-handled urn shape. Birmingham 1919 by Lawrence Emanuel, height 7 cm.

Two glass oil lamps, with hexagonal shaped bases & fluted glass…

Hexagonal Glass Oil Lamps with Fluted Flues

Two glass oil lamps, with hexagonal shaped bases & fluted glass flues, height 42-44 cm

A Victorian duplex spirit lamp with a yellow glass font, 19th…

Victorian Yellow Glass Duplex Spirit Lamp

A Victorian duplex spirit lamp with a yellow glass font, 19th century, the lamp with a shaped black glass base supporting a conical metalware stem with stiff leaf and wheat ear motifs to a moulded canary yellow font, with original fittings, a shaped glass…

A large Victorian kerosene lamp faceted clear glass reservoir,…

Primrose Yellow Victorian Kerosene Lamp

A large Victorian kerosene lamp faceted clear glass reservoir, decorative primrose yellow column stand.

Antique kerosene lamp with red glass reservoir, 50 cm high, 15…

Red Glass Kerosene Lamp - Antique

Antique kerosene lamp with red glass reservoir, 50 cm high, 15 cm wide

Antique yellow milk glass kerosene lamp, 70 cm x 20 cm

Antique Yellow Milk Glass Kerosene Lamp - 70cm x 20cm

Antique yellow milk glass kerosene lamp, 70 cm x 20 cm

Victorian oil lamp, with glass chimney, spherical shade above…

Victorian Glass Oil Lamp with Spherical Shade

Victorian oil lamp, with glass chimney, spherical shade above bowl supported on facetted column on circular base, height 75 cm

Pair of Edwardian oil lamps, with clear glass shades above bun…

Edwardian Oil Lamps with Corinthian Columns

Pair of Edwardian oil lamps, with clear glass shades above bun shaped bowls upon Corinthian columns, on raised circular bases, 57 cm

Antique German Kosmas Brenner oil lamp, 69 cm high approx.

Antique German Kosmas Brenner Oil Lamp - 69cm High

Antique German Kosmas Brenner oil lamp, 69 cm high approx.

Late Victorian student double oil lamp set with a two baluster…

Late Victorian Double Oil Lamp Set

Late Victorian student double oil lamp set with a two baluster lamps with clear glass chimneys and frosted glass shades, on scrolled arms, on column support on circular foot, height 71 cm

American Sinumbra table lamp, 19th century, with frosted and…

Antique Sinumbra Table Lamp with Crystal Drops

American Sinumbra table lamp, 19th century, with frosted and etched glass shade and cut crystal drops, stamped 'Cornelius & Co. Philad. Patent', electrified, height 61 cm. Provenance: collection of bill Bradshaw, Sydney. Collection of George and Adisa…

Pair of Edwardian oil lamps, with clear glass shades above bun…

Edwardian Oil Lamps with Corinthian Columns and Glass Shades

Pair of Edwardian oil lamps, with clear glass shades above bun shaped bowls upon Corinthian columns, on raised circular bases, 57 cm

Victorian oil lamp, with glass chimney, spherical shade above…

Victorian Glass Oil Lamp with Spherical Shade

Victorian oil lamp, with glass chimney, spherical shade above bowl supported on facetted column on circular base, height 75 cm

Hand forged early whale oil lamp

Early Whale Oil Lamp - Hand Forged

Hand forged early whale oil lamp

Late Victorian English kerosene lamp, with hand painted glass…

Victorian Hand-Painted Kerosene Lamp with Duplex Burner

Late Victorian English kerosene lamp, with hand painted glass reservoir and stand, fitted with Duplex burner, 55 cm approx

Hand forged whale oil lamp, rare double bowl Variety

Rare Double-Bowl Whale Oil Lamp

Hand forged whale oil lamp, rare double bowl Variety

Antique oil lamp, with dual burner & red glass font, 66 cm high…

Dual Burner Antique Oil Lamp with Red Glass Font

Antique oil lamp, with dual burner & red glass font, 66 cm high approx.

19th century black Mary Gregory glass oil lamp, painted with…

Black Mary Gregory Oil Lamp with Swing Painting

19th century black Mary Gregory glass oil lamp, painted with young boy on swing, stamped Rowatt's measures 59.5 cm high

A hand painted glass vase oil lamp with Duplex black button…

19th Century Hand Painted Glass Oil Lamp

A hand painted glass vase oil lamp with Duplex black button double burner, chimney and later shade, 19th century, 64 cm

Early whale oil 'Cruise' lamp, hand forged C1800

Antique Hand-Forged Whale Oil Lamp (C1800)

Early whale oil 'Cruise' lamp, hand forged C1800

Early Ditmar Brunner oil lamp with hand painted glass base,…

Hand-painted Ditmar Brunner oil lamp with frosted floral shade

Early Ditmar Brunner oil lamp with hand painted glass base, removable reservoir, pear glass, chimney and floral frosted shade, 53 cm high

Antique German oil lamp, converted to electric, 43 cm high…

Converted Antique German Oil Lamp, 43cm High

Antique German oil lamp, converted to electric, 43 cm high approx.

A classic 19th century oil lamp, with etched laurel wreath…

Etched Laurel Wreath Oil Lamp, 19th Century, 83cm High

A classic 19th century oil lamp, with etched laurel wreath globe 83 cm high

Kerosene lamp (A/F to shade), approx 45 cm high

Kerosene Lamp with Shade - 45cm

Kerosene lamp (A/F to shade), approx 45 cm high

Antique milk glass oil lamp, approx 48 cm high

48cm Antique Milk Glass Oil Lamp

Antique milk glass oil lamp, approx 48 cm high

Kerosene bankers lamp, mid 19th century, purported to have been…

Goldfields Kerosene Bankers Lamp from Ballarat

Kerosene bankers lamp, mid 19th century, purported to have been made on the goldfields or Ballarat. 61 cm. Provence: Private collection Ballarat.

Duplex Victorian oil lamp with amethyst dimple well

Amethyst Victorian Oil Lamp with Dimple Well

Duplex Victorian oil lamp with amethyst dimple well

Vintage amber glass oil lamp

Amber Glass Oil Lamp - Vintage Beauty

Vintage amber glass oil lamp

A Victorian oil lamp with etched shade height 60 cm

Victorian Etched Shade Oil Lamp (8 words)

A Victorian oil lamp with etched shade height 60 cm

Pair of oil lamps, hand painted floral design with gilt mounts…

Floral Oil Lamps with Gilt Mounts and Frosted Shades

Pair of oil lamps, hand painted floral design with gilt mounts and frosted shades, each approx 69 cm high (2)

A pair of vintage Chinese oil lamps

Vintage Chinese Oil Lamps Pair

A pair of vintage Chinese oil lamps

Vintage 'Blanc de chine' parlour lamp, pierced decoration,…

Pierced Blanc de Chine Parlour Lamp - 52cm

Vintage 'Blanc de chine' parlour lamp, pierced decoration, approx 52 cm high

Vintage milk glass oil lamp, 62 cm high approx

Tall Vintage Milk Glass Oil Lamp

Vintage milk glass oil lamp, 62 cm high approx

Antique oil ceiling lamp, 77 cm high approx

Antique Oil Ceiling Lamp - 77cm High

Antique oil ceiling lamp, 77 cm high approx

Pair of oil burner coach lamps, 62 cm high

Oil Burner Coach Lamps - 62cm High Pair

Pair of oil burner coach lamps, 62 cm high

Victorian Corinthian column oil lamp with yellow font

Yellow Font Victorian Corinthian Oil Lamp

Victorian Corinthian column oil lamp with yellow font

Napoleon the Third oil lamp converted to electric lamp 46 cmHigh

Napoleon III Electric Lamp - 46cm High

Napoleon the Third oil lamp converted to electric lamp 46 cmHigh

A tiny Juno USA table lamp re-nickelled, elaborate patterned…

Elaborate Juno Table Lamp with Missing Chimney Support

A tiny Juno USA table lamp re-nickelled, elaborate patterned base and font, single round burner (one chimney support missing) height 39 cm

Victorian gilded black glass oil lamp with mushroom shade

Gilded Victorian Oil Lamp with Mushroom Shade

Victorian gilded black glass oil lamp with mushroom shade

Colonial style oil lamp with crystal drops

Crystal Drop Colonial Oil Lamp

Colonial style oil lamp with crystal drops

Table lamp, of twin handled campana form with etched glass font…

Etched Glass Twin Handled Table Lamp

Table lamp, of twin handled campana form with etched glass font 51 cm

A small Victorian milk glass desk oil lamp, the single burner…

Victorian Milk Glass Desk Oil Lamp

A small Victorian milk glass desk oil lamp, the single burner above moulded milk glass font and base from the collection of P. D. White part III 41 cm high

Victorian Corinthian column oil lamp (no shade or chimney)

Victorian Corinthian Oil Lamp (No Shade/Chimney)

Victorian Corinthian column oil lamp (no shade or chimney)