Whale-oil lamp

Designer Probably designed by Thomas Cains

Manufacturer Manufactured by Phoenix Glass Works American

1830–40

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 704

This lamp’s decorative “mercurial ring” was created by tooling a deep indentation in the still-molten surface and then smoothing the glass over the groove. When viewed from the outside, the ring of trapped air appears silver.

Artwork Details

Object Information

Overview

Provenance

Title: Whale-oil lamp
Designer: Probably designed by Thomas Cains (active 1812–ca. 1820)
Manufacturer: Manufactured by Phoenix Glass Works (1812–27)
Date: 1830–40
Geography: Made in Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Culture: American
Medium: Free-blown and pressed glass
Dimensions: H. 9 3/4 in. (24.8 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Dr. Michael Heidelberger, in memory of Nina T. Heidelberger, 1982
Object Number: 1982.439.7
Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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Whale-oil lamp, Boston & Sandwich Glass Company American, Blown-molded and pressed glass, American — Whale-oil lamp
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Whale Oil Lamp, Thomas Cains, Free-blown lead glass, American — Whale Oil Lamp
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