Oil-Wick Lamp
- Description (Brief)
- This oil-wick cap lamp was made by an unknown maker during the second half of the 19th century. The oil-wick cap lamp was first invented in Scotland in 1850 and in use until the 1920’s. The font contained a mix of fat and oil for fuel, and a wick was inserted into the spout. The resulting flame was much brighter and more efficient than the candles it replaced. The tag calls this a “boss lamp,” and the hook on this lamp is larger than most, and was likely used to hold the lamp rather than hook it onto a cap.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Object Name
- lamp, hand, oil wick type, miner's
- mining lamp
- Measurements
- overall: 6 1/2 in x 7 in x 5 in; 16.51 cm x 17.78 cm x 12.7 cm
- ID Number
- AG*MHI-MN-9403
- accession number
- 272148
- catalog number
- MHI-MN-9403
- subject
- Work
- Industry & Manufacturing
- Natural Resources
- Mining Lamps
- See more items in
- Work and Industry: Mining
- Mining Lamps
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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