Thomas Messenger and Sons
Argand Lamp (one of a pair)

Argand Lamp (one of a pair)

Public Domain

Argand Lamp (one of a pair)
MakerEnglish, active 19th century
RetailerAmerican, active 1818–1852
CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Argand Lamp (one of a pair)
Datec. 1830–1850
Made inBirmingham, England
Retailed inNew York , New York, United States
MediumBrass and glass
Dimensions21 1/4 × 19 1/2 in. (54 × 49.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg
Object numberB.68.15.1.A-.C
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Chillman Parlor
Exposé

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionIn 1784, Swiss chemist Aimé Argand patented a lamp with a tubular wick and a draft system that brought more oxygen to the flame for a much brighter light than a candle could provide. Sinumbra lamps and solar lamps were improvements on Argand’s principle that came during the 1800s. Without the Argand lamp’s projecting arms that supported the oil reservoirs, sinumbra and solar lamps cast less shadow and were better suited for placement in the center of a table. These lamps burned a variety of fuels, including whale oil, vegetable oils, lard, and turpentine-alcohol mixtures. Some were smelly and smoky; some were dangerous. Kerosene made from petroleum quickly became the most widely used fuel for lighting after the Civil War and made all these lamp types obsolete.
Provenance[The Green Bottle Antique Shop, Houston]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1968; given to MFAH, 1968.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[none]
Stamped on bottom: J & I Cox New York

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