ANT-895  Pair of 1800s Antique Argand Table Lamps - Electrified

Pair of wonderful Early Victorian Argand table lamps circa 1820 - 1840.

The Argand lamp, a kind of oil lamp, was invented and patented in 1780 by Aimé Argand.  Chemist and botanist by trade, Argand traveled in an impressive circle of fellow scientists in Paris including Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, who invented the hot air balloon with his brother Joseph-Michel.

The invention of the Argand lamp marked a sizeable improvement in light output. The lamp, which produced 6 to 10 candela, improved on the light provided by candles by a factor of 5 to 10.  The wick could be moved up or down to increase or decrease the size of the flame.

Aside from the improvement in brightness, the Argand lamp offered more complete combustion of the wick, and oil required much less upkeep overall than wax candles.  The design created more complete airflow around the wick, passing both through the center of the wick and also around the outside of the wick, before being drawn up into the cylindrical chimney to steady the flame.  Whale oil was originally the most popular fuel used in the Argand oil lamp, which by the 1850s was the lamp of choice in both Europe and America.

Interesting History:  on a trip to Paris in 1784, Thomas Jefferson saw the Argand lamp and was so impressed with its light output that he helped popularize the lamp in the U.S.A.

An ornate Argand lamp was recently appraised on the Antique Roadshow for $8,000 - $10,000.

Measurements:

• Height:  17"
• Width:  11" (maximum).
• Base:  6" x 6"

The shades have minor flakes, but are original and historic.  The bases have chipped paint, but these are antiques and we will not do a touch up job...that is for the new owner to decide.

Completely rewired to UL standards in our UL shop with new medium base sockets.  A switch has been installed.

Price:  $3,500.00 for these historic converted lamps.  Shipping is a bit extra.