Oil Clock, 18th-19th Century

Attractive oil clock-lamp made between the 18th and the 19th centuries. This curious item works by the oil lamp principle, measuring the trace of time thanks to the oil consumption. The clock is in very good condition in spite of being such an antique piece and is undeniably charming. It is complete and works fine: it can be used with the proper wick. It boasts a stylized and simple design and this feature turns it into a very decorative article, as well as being an extremely interesting antique. Oil clock, also known as silent clocks, used to be filled with whale oil as this fuel burns out regularly. They became very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and were used to know the hour during the night. They consisted of a blown glass or translucent porcelain deposit located on top of an oil lamp. The deposit or flask was scaled with numbers corresponding to the hours of the night: as the liquid burned, the level would point the time. They were not very precise but let the users know the time in approximate terms. The clock we can see in these images is made of cast zinc. It has an ample base that provides it with stability, with the oil lamp and the carrying handle on top of it. The clock itself is located at the top, vertically disposed: it is composed of a deposit made of a long blown glass flask, supported by a zinc plate with the hours of the day engraved in Roman numbers. The blown glass flask is the original one: together with the matt-finished metal it creates a wonderful contrast of textures. Original and inventive, this ancient oil clock will delight any collector of rare and special antiques. Measurements: Width: 4.7 in/12 cm. Height: 14.1 in/36 cm.