J. & I. Cox
Sinumbra Lamp

Public Domain

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Images(2)

Retailerattributed to J. & I. CoxAmerican, active 1817–1853

CultureEnglish

Titles

Sinumbra Lamp

Datec. 1835–1845

Retailed inNew York , New York, United States

Made inBirmingham, England

MediumBronze, brass, tin, iron, steel, and glass

Dimensions29 1/2 × 6 1/2 in. diameter (74.9 × 16.5 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.68.28.A,.B

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Chillman Parlor

On view

Explore Further

Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

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[Peter Hill, Washington, D.C.]; purchased by Miss Ima Hogg, 1967; given to MFAH, 1968.
Exhibition HistoryPetit Museum of the Theta Charity Antiques Show, September 18–23, 1996, Houston, TX (LN:96.36)

Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

[none]

Marked on thumbwheel: "E. F. JONES REISSUE JAN 11 1859" and "PATENT MAY 4 1858"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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