This tin oil-wick cap lamp was used in the Wyoming Valley Region of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. The manufacturer is unknown, but it was likely made in the latter half of the 19th century. The font contained a mix of lard and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting light was much brighter than the candles it replaced.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.