Historical information

Lamp used for burning oil. This would have been used to create light prior to electricity becoming the main source.

Significance

This lamp is part of the story of lighting in domestic and maritime settings. The collection holds a number of whale oil lamps which, alongside kerosene lamps, show the development of different types of lighting.

Physical description

Glass lamp base with metal burner and wick raiser. Has liquid in the reservoir which looks like paraffin or kerosene. The stem has a wide base with a narrow fluted chimney stem. The base is octagonal. The glass is cut and the top of the stem underneath the reservoir has raised ball-like decorations.