Note
Notes: Memorandum, 4/10/2001 from Jonathan Poston
Swiss Native, Frenchman Ami Argand invented these oil burning lamps in 1782. They were particularly praised for the bright light they provided, owing to their special cylindrical wick, which allowed a current of air to pass both the inner and outer surfaces of the flame. The English readily adopted the form and Matthew Boulton, the great Birmingham silversmith, directly translated many of Argand's designs into fashionable English settings.
Philadelphian William Bingham, in 1791 ordered some of Argand's lamps, the most approved form of lighting in dining rooms. By the 1830's Thomas Walker in his book The Art of Dining could state positively that lights in dining rooms should be placed on the mantelpiece. George Washington owned several examples of Neo-classical Argand style lamps that survive at Mt. Vernon similar to our recently acquired examples. In Charleston, merchants such as Daniel Caroll on Broad at Union "(State) Street" advertised in 1795 the receipt of a "quantity" of Argand lamps. Similarly, Alexander Ewing on Church Street advertised a quantity of "Patent lamps" in 1797 including "two light pillar lamps" probably like the examples we have just attained. Sarah Russell Dehon's inventory, albeit in the 1850's , speaks of lamps in the dining room probably on the mantelpiece. The pair HCF bought are almost identical to designs by Boulton and to a pair of Argand lamps attributed to Matthew Boulton now at Winterthur.
HCF consultants, John Bivins and Anne McPherson, have noted the fact that the pair of lamps we have just acquired are largely original and date c.1790-1800. Although they were electrified early in the 20th C., this work was done so carefully that the fabric was not disturbed. The only missing portion on each is a small pad attached to the know that controls the wick. A would be expected most of the small glass chimneys are probably replacements identical to the originals.