Bidspirit auction | Waterbury Brass Co. Corp. Miniature

Waterbury Brass Co. Corp. Miniature Brass Skaters Oil Lantern - A miniature liquid-fuel burning oil lantern, commonly referred to as a skater's lantern or night lamp. The piece is constructed from brass-toned metal with a bulbous clear glass chimney and a wire bale handle. The lantern features a circular base, a perforated burner assembly, and a vented top cap. A manual wick-adjustment mechanism is present, retaining a section of cotton wick. The wick-adjuster knob features embossed text in a circular format, which reads W.B.C. CORP. and WATERBURY, CT. around a central rivet. The underside of the base shows a recessed circular design and a silver-toned metal finish where the brass plating has worn away. Height: approximately 4 inches (lantern body only); approximately 6.5 inches (including handle). The brass-toned finish shows significant oxidation, surface pitting, and dark patina throughout the metal components (photo 1). There is notable loss of the brass plating on the underside and lower edges of the base, exposing a gray base metal (photo 3). The wire handle is intact but exhibits slight misshaping (photo 5). The glass chimney shows internal dust and residue but appears free of cracks or chips (photo 4). The cotton wick is present but frayed and shows evidence of prior use (photo 4).