A student lamp is a type of oil lamp in which the burner is mounted on an arm to one side of an upright rod, with a separate fuel reservoir positioned higher up and feeding the wick by gravity. The burner can usually be raised or lowered on the rod, and it is normally fitted with a glass chimney and a white or green glass shade.
The design is associated with nineteenth-century Germany and was widely produced there, as well as in the United States and Britain, from the mid nineteenth century until electric light replaced it. It took its name from its popularity with scholars and students, as the bright, steady Argand-type flame was well suited to reading and writing. Most examples are made of brass, sometimes nickel-plated, and both single and double-arm versions exist. Collectors look for original shades, which are often missing or replaced, the maker's name on the burner or reservoir, and a complete mechanism. Many student lamps have been converted to electricity, which allows them to be used safely today as desk or library lamps, and their engineering character suits studies, libraries and offices furnished with period pieces.
