Historical information

Wall-mounted kerosene lanterns revolutionized home lighting in the mid-19th century, following Ignacy Łukasiewicz’s 1853 invention of the modern kerosene lamp. They provided a bright, safe alternative to whale oil, using glass chimneys and metal reflectors (often on wall brackets) to illuminate rooms and railway guard’s vans until rural electrification in the 1940s.

Physical description

A vintage cream coloured tin wall mounted kerosene lamp for use to light the home in the 1900's. It has a shaped back support with a mounted circular reflector attached to a slide in slot. At the front there is a kerosene container with an adjustable turning wick. A glass chimney would have covered the wick to stop the flame from blowing out. There are four metal clips to support the chimney.