Early 20th Century Retractable Hanging Kerosene Lamp

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This is an early 20th century hanging kerosene (or oil) lamp in perfect working condition. It has a beautiful ceramic … Read more This is an early 20th century hanging kerosene (or oil) lamp in perfect working condition. It has a beautiful ceramic shade decorated with pink and peach color flowers, and the top is ruffled. There are no chips, cracks, or even crazing on this large and unique shade.

The exquisite dark green kerosene (or oil) reservoir is in similar perfect condition, and has a working adjustable flame burner with wick attached to the green bottle. The burner can be removed to add kerosene (or oil). The reservoir is held in place atop the original metal cup made for holding it, and it has a screw that is turned to further hold it securely in place. Seated atop the burner is a clear glass chimney that directs the flame and any smoke out of the shade, and up toward the black metal smoke cap at the top of the chains. Smoke caps were used "back in the day" to help keep smoke from reaching the ceiling, and to direct heat back downward.

This amazing lamp is adjustable in height, and can hang anywhere from about a foot or so from the top (i.e., chimney cap) downward a couple of feet more. This allowed for lighting up a room, but also for performing up close work by lowering the fixture downward. The first (primary) photo shows it lowered to its lowest level, and the last photo shows it at its highest level (near the smoke cap).

The chimney cap has a metal loop built into the top of it, so it can be hung from a ceiling using a simple S-hook, as was done for making photos.

The black wrought iron fixture frame offers a great contrast with the dark green fuel reservoir and the off-white shade decorated with colorful flower patterns. The black wrought iron and metal frame is in excellent condition except that there is a very small decorative (only) piece broken off the frame that holds the shade in place. I have shown this in the photo that depicts the height measurement of the fixture. See less