This pewter whale oil lamp has a truncated cone shaped font and its pewter and brass whale oil burner. It is unsigned, nicely made and probably is American made early 19th century. It measures 8" by 4 1/2" diameter of base.
$250.00

The development of whale oil  burners and fonts improved the lighting for many in the early 19th century. The burners identified the type of fuel used. The whale oil burner has one or more metal wick tubes (about 1/4" tall) inserted through a disk with a small slot in each to adjust the wick. The wick tubes extent below the disk and into the font. The fuel is inserted by screwing the burner open (in metal lamps).

These fonts and burners can burn any light fueI.   Whale oil was in abundant supply and often the fuel of choice. Sperm (whale) oil was a superior fuel. Other light oils were also used and could be burned with these same burners and fonts.

The screw burner, of the Miles patent in 1787,  allowed metal lamps to take advantage of whale oil. Candles now had an adequate rival.

See Early LIGHTING  A Pictorial Guide by The Rushlight Club pages 49- 61 for more examples. 

#7383A                                                                       Wt. 1.75 lb.