Fantastic antique oil lamp standing 63cm overall to top of chimney.
 
The base is a very ornate reticulated cast brass, fashioned in the shape of a classical urn and decorated all over with scrolling acanthus leaves and pine cones. The “T & T” marks inside and registered design number, date the base to circa 1893 and as being made by Townsend & Thompson who were brassfounders in Ernest St, Birmingham in the 1880s. 
 
The “lid” of the urn doubles as the font and slots neatly into the urn. There is a later copper coin (Elizabeth II) attached to the underside of the font. This has been used to reverse a previous conversion to electricity, has been checked and is watertight.
 
The lamp has a “Messengers Patent” lug type collar, fitted with a Messengers Duplex burner. The wicks are controlled by two wick winders on the same stem - one marked “Messengers” to the black glass button. The burner has a working snuffer lever and key lift mechanism for ease of lighting/extinguishing. 
 
A flat bulge chimney is fitted and an antique gallery supports a beautiful cranberry glass shade.
 
The cranberry glass shade graduates in colour from a dark pink at its pleated top rim, to almost clear at its base. Decorated with an acid etched pattern of acanthus leaves and flowers, it echoes the body of the lamp beautifully.