H. N. Hooper Company
Sinumbra Lamp

Sinumbra Lamp

Public Domain

Sinumbra Lamp
MakerAmerican, 1832–1868
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Sinumbra Lamp
Datec. 1835–1840
Made inBoston, Massachusetts, United States
MediumBrass and glass
Dimensions31 × 10 × 10 in. (78.7 × 25.4 × 25.4 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, museum purchase funded by the Jack R. McGregor Endowment
Object numberB.2006.10.A-.D
Not on view

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Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionIn 1783, the Argand lamp announced the first improvement in lighting since classical antiquity. Other improvements quickly followed, including the sinumbra lamp, a French innovation of the 1820s. The lamp takes its name from the Latin sine umbra (without shadow) because the oil reservoir is concealed within the shade, and therefore the flame casts little shadow. Two American firms—H.N. Hooper of Boston and Cornelius & Co. of Philadelphia—produced these lamps. This rare and distinguished example of Hooper’s work with its cluster-column support is inspired by Gothic architecture. This example is unusual because it retains its original surface.
Provenance[Hugo A. Ramirez, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 2006.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Marked on underside (by dealer?): H.N. HOOPER CO BOSTON
Stamped on upper cylinder of oil reservoir in a rectangle: MANUFACTURED / H. N. HOOPER & Co. / BOSTON

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