A stunning and rarely found matching pair of mid-19th century American pressed glass whale oil lamps in the iconic “Bullseye and Ellipse” (Big Loop) pattern, circa 1850–1860. Attributed to the New England Glass Company or Boston & Sandwich area factories. Each lamp features bold oval thumbprint fonts surrounded by sweeping loops and fine dart detailing, resting on a scalloped hexagonal base. Retain their original and highly desirable double-tube brass burners – the twin tubes with side air holes designed for the volatile whale oil and camphene fuels of the period. Standing 9 inches tall, the glass shows attractive period bubbles and straw marks. One lamp has a small chip to the upper font (mentioned for accuracy; does not detract when displayed). A beautiful and historically important pair that displays dramatically and represents the pinnacle of pre-kerosene American lighting. Perfect for advanced lamp or early American glass collectors.

Key features:

• Clear pressed glass font with large oval thumbprints (“bullseyes”) surrounded by elongated loops and fine dart motifs.

• Hexagonal or petal-form scalloped base with a pronounced waist.

• Applied and tooled double-tube brass “defensive” burners (the two tubes with side air holes are the classic whale-oil burner design that helped reduce explosions from the highly volatile fuels used at the time).

• Typical period air bubbles and straw marks in the glass, along with slight imperfections from hand-finishing.

• 1845–1865 (peak production 1850–1860).

Item dimensions of each item: 9" tall × 5" diameter  

Weight of items (pair): 3 lb