Oil lamps or moderator lamps

Dear visitors, a brief explanation about oil lamps and some visible characteristics of their internal mechanism.
As you may have noticed, when these lamps are electrified they are usually powered from the top, and this is not the result of a mistake by the craftsman, but, on the contrary, a clear sign that the lamp, out of respect for its age, has retained all its original "complex inner world" and in particular its main component, the oil reservoir.
Therefore, in this case, it is impossible to electrify the lamp from its base by passing through the reservoir, which still contains oily residue. That is why they are powered from the top.
Oil lamps (called "moderating oil lamps") were produced from 1837 onwards, using rapeseed oil. They were useful and completely safe, but cleaning them was very complicated. From 1853 onwards, with the arrival of petroleum, oil lamps were gradually replaced by kerosene lamps.
While oil lamps required a piston to draw the oil up (hence the two adjustment screws at the top, so characteristic of oil lamps), no piston was needed in the kerosene lamps that replaced them. This new, more liquid fuel rose by capillary action along the textile wick. Thus, the simpler kerosene lamp gradually replaced the oil lamp in the second half of the 19th century. (This is why oil lamps remain largely confined to the Napoleon III style, while kerosene lamps later acquired characteristics of other styles.)
However, it is extremely rare to find lamps with an intact reservoir. Most of the time the reservoir is no longer airtight, and unpleasant leaks are not uncommon.
In this case, there's only one solution left, but it's truly a specialist's job: removing the reservoir. In this case, all the parts are disassembled, cleaned, and regilded (if they were gilded), and the lamp is reassembled, but this time with power supplied from the base.
This is then much more rational and aesthetically pleasing.
Finally, the lamp can be fitted with its original glass, if it still exists, or a more contemporary lampshade.
In both cases, it has become a clean, useful, extremely decorative object, but one steeped in nearly two centuries of history.

Restoration of moderator lamps.

When faced with a moderator lamp, there are at least two options which depend heavily on the desired objective.
Try to restore it to its original condition to make it work like it did in the old days, with vegetable oil.
Or electrify it while retaining as many original components as possible.
These elements are mostly very decorative.
Let's start with the body of the lamp, which can be made of earthenware, porcelain, or metal.
This body contains the oil reservoir and the moderator mechanism.
Over time, the vegetable oil used often corroded the tank, causing leaks.
When electrifying, it is possible to bring the electricity directly to the top of the lamp, but this solution is not at all aesthetic and makes the lamp unstable.
Ideally, the power supply should be introduced into the lamp through its base, but that's where the obstacles begin.
First, you have to go through the reservoir and the moderator mechanism. It's also not certain that the reservoir is completely empty (without oil or oil residue).

Next, you need to reach the highest point to try and install a socket to receive the light bulb.
It then becomes a matter of improvisation and very rough DIY, and the result is often very disappointing for a novice.
Sometimes we receive pairs of lamps that are supposed to be identical, but modifications have made them different.
We have found technical solutions (as for chandeliers) and components that allow us to electrify these lamps safely while preserving their beauty and authenticity.

Our principle when restoring lamps and chandeliers is to recreate the original appearance as closely as possible, preserving as many original details as we can. To achieve this, we must devise hidden technical solutions for each individual case, in order to combine the antique look with the modern aesthetic. with modern requirements for safety and comfort. 

This is how the new life of antique lamps and chandeliers begins in our workshops.

You probably have some beautiful lamps at home that have unfortunately been cobbled together. They certainly deserve much better! Contact us and send us photos.