Fancy Lamp Chimneys

Long before modern day electricity technology existed, glass lamp chimneys were used to provide light in the dark hours of the night. Most commonly, they were used in combination with traditional oil lights. These traditional lights had many flaws for those that relied on them as their sole means of light. To begin with, the light was often dim and burning the oil created a large amount of smoke. As they were often lit inside of homes, this was a huge problem for households of the past. The flames within the oil lights were infamously known for going out without little provocation or warning. Finally, in the year 1708, a man by the name of Francois-Pierre Aime Argand, set out to improve traditional oil lights. Argand, with a background in chemistry, created oil lights that came equipped with controls and small chimneys made of glass. This material enabled the item to receive more air, yet also prevented the flame from being disturbed. His improvement on traditional lights became very successful and made them much more effective for those that needed them. By using embossed glass chimneys and colored glass chimneys, there is also the ability to create a beautiful look to accent your lamp.

Today, glass lamp chimneys are still used in times of emergency, yet they are most commonly used to add a touch of antique décor to a home or office. Many of today’s embossed glass chimneys and colored glass chimneys used for decorative purposes are used in combination with kerosene or electric lights versus the traditional oil fuels of the past. Original antique crystal pieces are often hard to find, but here at Antique Lamp Supply, we strive to offer reproduction glass chimneys that mimic the look and feel of those from the past. We offer numerous styles and sizes that are perfect as replacement pieces or as an elegant touch to an old kerosene light. Each of our reproductions has been modeled after an authentic antique lamp piece that was originally manufactured along with a matching base, but we find that they complement many styles well. With colored and embossed glass to more traditional and basic styles, our embossed glass chimneys and colored glass chimneys will add a unique appeal to any antique.