The attention devoted to the construction of lamps, electroliers and chandeliers for gas and electric lighting, has had the effect of greatly improving the artistic merits of these fixtures, which afford so inviting a field for the exercise of the skill and good taste of the designer. The same improvement may be remarked in the production of artistic lamps and fixtures for oil-burning. The fact should be kept in mind, that, in spite of the enormous strides in electric lighting, the oil lamp must remain for years to come, if not indefinitely, the chief reliance as a source of light for the great majority, for the good and sufficient reason that only the comparatively well-to-do portion of our population residing remote from the cities, can avail themselves of either gas or electric light.
Our picture shows an elaborate and handsome design for an extension chandelier in antique brass finish, designed for oil burning, which exhibits many decided merits from an artistic point of view. This is only one of a great variety of artistic designs for piano lamps, dining-room and library lamps, hall lamps, chandeliers, and, in fact, for every conceivable purpose for which an oil lamp is required, that may be selected for use by those who use kerosene oil in the household. In table lamps alone, the variety of designs from which selection may be made is endless. Some are finished in oxidized sliver and copper, some in hammered brass, or with brass ornamented with flowers and figures in relief.
The shades, also, present quite a great variety, both in form, decoration and coloring.
The design of an extension chandelier for oil burning which is shown herewith, is from the house of Edward Miller & Co., of 10 and 12 College Place which makes a specialty of this class of manufactures. The lamp itself is of the type widely and formally known as the Rochester lamp. This is a central draft lamp, having several specially advantageous features of construction, in respect of safety and completeness of combustion.