Antique Victorian Complete Hinks & Sons Patent Duplex Ceramic Oil Lamp

Gorgeous and unusual Victorian Hinks Duplex Patent dual-wick ceramic oil lamp decorated with cherubs. A complete Hinks Duplex oil lamp, with glass chimney and clear shade. The body of the font is in two parts, decorated with cherubs engaged in academic pursuits such as astronomy, cartography, draughtsmanship and literature.

The top section of the font is decorated with a repeating floral motif, and the complete lamp has been mounted on a bronze base. Splendidly finished with an opalescent glaze. This lamp probably dates to around 1890. I've not had it filled nor lit, but everything appears to be in working order. Wick raiser knobs both turn effectively, and the extinguisher lever lowers and raises readily. The wick raiser knob is labelled Hinks's Duplex Patent, and the burner is labelled Hinks's & Sons Patent.

Overall, this lamp is in just splendid condition. The elegant design and the mechanisms still beautiful and still in working order. To be as absolutely clear about condition as possible: There is a miniscule loss of glaze to one of the cherub's feet (photographed), and there is a hairline firing crack near the rim (photographed) but this is underglaze which means it is exactly how it left the pottery in the Victorian Age.

Very minor rubbing evident under very close scrutiny, on raised areas that may have come in contact with the wall over the past three centuries. The shade and the chimney are later, but they compliment the lamp beautifully. Lamp is 51.5cm tall to the top of the chimney, and 30cm tall to the wick. Diameter of the body is 16.5cm.

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