Self-activating spirit lamp blow torch or blowpipe. Hollow sphere with pressure fittings to release steam, inlet for alcohol secured by milled screw, and brass tube projecting from top of sphere and bending underneath it. Right-angle base of tube swivels. Tube held in beak of an eagle cast of brass. Body of eagle is shaped like an eastern lamp. Eagle is regarding its "tail." Its neck is covered by cast leaves; at base of neck, on top of lamp-body, there is a lion's head in relief. "Tail" of spirit lamp has sliding cover for filling lamp with fuel and inserting a wick. Steam tube passes over the flame. Lamp supported on large bird's claw. Bird's leg oxidized; rest of instrument gilt.
In operation, the lamp's flame would heat alcohol in the sphere and build up steam pressure. The curved tube would direct a jet of alcohol vapor through the fire, which would ignite the alcohol and produce a long, hot flame. This blow torch could have been used to bend glassware in a laboratory or as a controlled source of heat for chemical analysis.
