In 1820, Robert Hare introduced a new illuminant made of one part turpentine to eight parts alcohol. Known as burning-fluid, it was characterized as producing “a highly luminous flame…without smoke like gas light.” By contrast, to other fuels, Hare’s did not emit any unpleasant odor, and it was inexpensive. There was one minor drawback, and that was that it was very explosive. In response, to reduce the risk, the wick tubes were lengthened and tapered so that they terminated flush with the underside of the cap. They were also reoriented, no longer parallel, and now they flared away from one another. By distancing the source of heat from the lamp’s reservoir, the new burner reduced vaporization and thereby the potential for combustion. Burning fluid remained in use until the 1860s, when kerosene, noted for its cleanliness, efficiency, low cost, and safety, replaced it.

This lamp, retaining its burner, not only embraces the latest lighting technology but also the latest fashions. Executed in the Grecian taste, its designer employed a fluted column for the stem and, with a bit of whimsy, adapted a classical dolphin for a finger grip. A lacquer coating was applied to simulate gilding.