By no means cute little toys, miniature kerosene lamps of all descriptions were very common. They were used as courting lights, lights in sickrooms, and as night lights. They provided meager illumination and so were seldom used for reading although a traveler, upon retiring to his room for the night, may well have used his miniature chamberlamp for that purpose. A frugal innkeeper, providing such a lamp for his guests, would have appreciated the small font or oil reservoir, which would have kept oil consumption to a minimum. As was often the case, this miniature lamp is patterned after a larger one of a similar design and could be dated back to as early as February 27, 1877 since its brass Nutmeg burner was patented on that date. The burner and burner collar are solid brass and the lamp comes with a wick, chimney, and hand-forged nail for hanging. Use either kerosene or lamp oil for fuel.