How to Find Replacement Oil Lamp Globes

While it can be very upsetting to break the glass globe from an antique oil lamp, you can easily find a replacement that will suit the lamp and restore its natural beauty. Unfortunately, if the oil lamp globe (often called chimney) that broke was an original component of the lamp, some could argue that the lamp has lost its higher antique value. Nevertheless, you need to find a replacement globe and restore your lamp to its former self and function. I should add that you should never use an oil lamp without a globe, this could cause a hazardous situation.

Finding a replacement glass globe or chimney is not as difficult as one would think. You'll find the largest selection of glass lamp globes in old country hardware stores, but other retail outlets and some online sources also carry an assortment of replacement glass chimneys:

• Home Depot centers
• Most hardware retailers
• Canadian Tire
• Lighting retailers
• Large mercantile and general merchandise retailers
• www.AntiqueLampSupply.com
• www.replacements.com

Although 4" diameter could be considered in some areas to be the standard base size for oil lamps as it was for the lamp pictured, you should measure the base size for your globe as well as the approximate height, to give the retailer an idea of the size and type of lamp you have. This will ensure your replacement globe fits your lamp snugly.

If you're unable to find a similar replacement, a plain glass globe may suffice to get your lamp back in order. Even a shorter globe can function as well as the old one, when a taller replacement is not available. Replacement globes are very low cost, usually under $10 and lamp globes are well worth replacing.

When shopping for a globe, remember to bring a padded bag with you to make it easier to transport this very fragile item.