Featured Anyone know what this small amber glass ball oil lamp is?

has patent dates of sept 1880 and March 1886 embossed in glass. Only about 2” diameter ball. Any ideas?
TIA, Bryan

 

Ok I think I found it it is a jewelers or watchmakers alcohol lamp

 

It's cute and unusual. Well, I've never seen one before!

 

I've seen them, but not recently. I'm not sure if they're still used or not.

 

@evelyb30
They are used every day by thousands of people worldwide.

https://www.esslinger.com/alcohol-lamp-1/

 

Yep, you're right. I wasn't thinking jewelers. Something similar was used to make beads by hand too, and might still be for that matter.

 

Is this where the term "lampwork" comes from?

 

If it had a blowpipe to raise the temperature for glass,Paul Revere didn't have many problems putting his silver pieces together.

 

That's a nice one.
Don't think I have seen one like that.
Besides alcohol lamp, I think they were also called alcohol burners.
https://www.google.com/search?q=alc...1fzfAhVSL6wKHS3VALgQ_AUIDygC&biw=1361&bih=873

 

Hi,
Does it have a flat bottom on the glass? I only ask since the holder reminds me of a metal custard holder, just does not look right to me as a holder for the lamp.
greg

 

It is round so that the flame can be tilted to different positions.Today they have flat sides for positioning. https://www.google.com/search?q=ant...1_zfAhULIKwKHWL6BoQQ_AUIDygC&biw=1554&bih=870

 

haha just looked it up myself and found this:
http://www.thelampworks.com/lw_jewelers_lamp.htm

 

Hi Phaik,
Thanks for the info. I guess that I am so used to Depression Glass that anything that reminds me of it seems wrong.
greg

 

Greg I thought the same thing but one of the first ones I found had the exact base. I think it is cool. I bought it with some other stuff out of a house. Need to go back for more. Got this with three old microphones, a cool antique Johnson & Johnson first aid kit and some other antique tins