A mid-19th century American pewter whale oil finger lamp made by the noted New York firm Capen & Molineux (operating in New York City, 1848–1854). This petite lighting vessel features a broad cylindrical font, stepped shoulder, and a applied cast scroll finger handle with a delicate top thumb-rest and bottom curled tail.

The underside of the base retains a sharp, clear oval touchmark reading "CAPEN & MOLINEUX / N.Y." surrounding a central lozenge block, accompanied by an incised size/catalog numeral "15". The lamp retains its original brass threaded collar and single brass burner tube fitted with period cotton braided wick material.

• Origin: New York City, New York, USA

• Maker: Capen & Molineux

• Age: Circa 1848–1854

• Material: Pewter (Britannia metal font and handle), solid brass burner collar and wick burner tube

• Dimensions: Approx. 3.75" Total Height x 3.25" Width (font to handle edge) x 2.75" Base Diameter

• Condition: Excellent original antique condition. The pewter displays a soft, authentic unpolished silvery-grey age patina with scattered light surface micro-scratches, pinprick pitting, and gentle wear consistent with mid-19th century use. No cracks, major dents, repairs, or re-soldered joints. The brass burner threads turn smoothly into the collar.

Reference

• Book Title: American Pewter

• Author: J.B. Kerfoot

• Reference Note: Capen & Molineux touchmark oval variations and lighting forms are cataloged and illustrated on Page 134 (Touchmark Fig. 309/310), active in NYC from 1848 to 1854.

Authenticity Assessment

This piece exhibits all widely recognized authenticity markers for genuine mid-19th century American pewter lighting. The Capen & Molineux N.Y. oval touchmark stamped into the base features crisp, period-correct die lettering and central lozenge geometry showing natural edge wear inside the strike impression rather than modern chemical etching or casting transfer. The structural seam lines where the scroll finger handle is joined to the font body display authentic hand-finished solder joints. The single-tube burner unit shows genuine brass threads with correct fine-pitch machining and natural oxidation. Furthermore, the base interior reveals faint concentric lathe turning marks from 1850s manufacturing.

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