Extremely Rare Sherwoods Kraznow Lamp – Chimneyless Fan-Driven Oil Lamp, c. 1920s/30s – Complete in Original Fitted Chest – Working

A lamp that even seasoned collectors will rarely get to see in person: the Kraznow Lamp by Sherwoods Limited of Birmingham, most likely dating from the 1920s/30s. The top of the fount reads Kraznow Lamp, and the wick holder is marked Patented in England, India & USA – Pat. No 8539.

The concept is as eccentric as it is ingenious: an oil lamp with a fan. The stream of air blown past the wick makes a chimney glass entirely unnecessary — which is exactly why it was developed, for locations where a replacement chimney was hard to come by. That such fine mechanics were engineered simply to burn without glass is something to marvel at.
You can see it on the pictures, the fourth picture is with the fan of, the fifth picture is with the fan on. The fan is also marked with Swiss made, probably made by a watch or clock maker.

What makes this example extremely rare is the custom-fitted chest that comes with it, complete with a fuel reservoir and six Sherwoods-marked wicks. The outside of the chest still carries a brass Sherwoods badge, and faint painted markings are visible on the sides. It may well be that this lamp saw military service.

The lamp is in good working condition. For completeness: the chrome shows a few small spots, and the top of the base, where the fount drops in, has some fine cracks — invisible in practice, as the rim of the fount covers them. The fount once had a hole, which has been sealed inside and out.

A video of a similar example is available on YouTube, showing the mechanism in action. Feel free to get in touch for the link.

Measurements:
Height: 31 cm (12.2 in)

Complete Kraznow sets like this one hardly ever surface — an exceptional opportunity for the serious collector.