Whale Oil Lamp 1830 - 1840

This glass whale oil lamp was crafted by the New England Glass Company sometime between 1818 and 1888. Note the four lion figures at the corners of the pedestal, which are miniaturized versions of grand sculptures from antiquity. These lions may hearken back to ancient guardian figures, symbols of protection and strength, repurposed from Egyptian and Roman art. The lamp’s pedestal also displays a neoclassical bas-relief of a basket filled with flowers— a symbol seen in ancient Roman art representing abundance, peace, and prosperity. We see this motif echoed through the centuries, adorning sarcophagi, and then reappearing in Renaissance paintings as symbols of fertility or earthly delights. By the 19th century, this symbol had evolved to represent domestic harmony. Here, the arrangement takes on a new form—the glowing light representing safety and comfort. It serves as a silent guardian, warding off the darkness.