Cornelius & Co.
Solar Lamp

MakerAmerican, active 1839–1851
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Solar Lamp
Datec. 1843–1851
Made inPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumGlass, brass, iron, marble, and mercury
Dimensions31 1/4 × 9 1/4 × 9 1/4 in. (79.4 × 23.5 × 23.5 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Jack R. McGregor Endowment and the Museum Collectors
Object numberB.2004.3.A-.D
Current Location
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Chillman Parlor
Exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionIn 1843 Robert Cornelius of Philadelphia received a patent for a lard lamp with an Argand burner. The mechanism he designed kept the lard just warm enough to make the inexpensive fuel burn brightly and efficiently. The firm’s success prompted them to exhibit 33 examples of their products at the 1851 London Crystal Palace exhibition. Among these were 24 solar lamps. This solar lamp is an unusual example that combines the skill of the glass cutter with the technological advances developed by Cornelius & Co. The glass was probably made and finished locally.
Provenance[Hugo A. Ramirez, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2004.
Exhibition History"Patrons Choice: The Silver Anniversary of The Museum Collectors, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, September 18, 2004–January 30, 2005. Millennium Gallery and Public Corridor.

"American Made: 250 Years of American Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, July 7, 2012–January 2, 2013.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
[no inscriptions]
Stamped on the brass well in an oval: CORNELIUS & CO. / PHILAD. / JULY 24TH.1849. / PATENT / APRIL 1ST. 1843.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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Solar Lamp
Cornelius & Co.
c. 1843–1851
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