Oil lamps: Oil lamps have been widely used ever since ancient times. They comprised a container for the oil and one or more spouts. Oil lamps are mentioned in Homer's Odyssey (XIX, 34) and they were also used on Crete during the Mycenaean civilisation (remains of oil lamps were found in the ancient palaces of Knossos and Haghia Triada). Oil lamps were later used by the Phoenicians and the Greeks who handed them down to the Romans during the fourth century b.C.. In around the middle of the eighteenth century, oil lamps were further developed in Italy when they began to be made of silver or pewter featuring a reservoir attached to a rod supported by a wide base. The production of oil lamps declined towards the end of the nineteenth century when more efficient sources of illumination became available. However, limited production survived into the twentieth century but only for decorative purposes.

Curiously enough, as well as being an ancient means of illumination, our oil lamps can also measure time. This is because the oil level inside the ampoule decreases regularly; the flame illuminates the graded rod so that it can be used in the evening, too. They are accurately manufactured in order to seem "antiqued" and they give to the house the right warmth.

The alloy used satisfies all EEC and USA regulations governing containers for alimentary use.

Kerosene lamps: Until 1780-1790, lamps produced a feeble light, a lot of smoke and an intense smell, especially if fish oil was burnt; not many innovations had been made since ancient times, in fact. The industrial revolution encouraged the search for new fuels, especially good quality and moderately priced oil for lamps, in order to satisfy the increasing demand for light that people needed in order to work and read after sunset. The "heart" of a kerosene lamp is its burner. The flame is generated by the combustion of the oxygen contained in the air; studies and empirical testing led to the production of models that could adjust the amount of oxygen fed to the flame. The holes at the base and around the burners, which often reproduce decorative patterns, were real and proper air inlets without which the flame would have gone out for lack of oxygen. The glass chimney has two functions: the first is to create a rising current of air, the second to protect the flame from going out by accident. The shape of the chimney changes according to the burner it protects. The top of the "Matador" burner, for example, is fitted with an air spreader that improves the distribution of the air around the flame. It has a belly chimney to prevent the flame from getting too close to the glass and breaking it.

Our kerosene lamps use "Matador" (patented in 1895 by the German company Enrich und Graetz) and "kosmos" (patented in 1865 by the German company Wild & Wessel in the UK) burners. They have a solid appearance and a particular patina which is never dark and you only need water and soap to give them again their original shade. They are accurately manufactured in order to seem "antiqued" and they give to the house the right warmth.

The alloy used satisfies all EEC and USA regulations governing containers for alimentary use.