
Lamp, whale oil with double reflector
Lamp, whale oil with double reflector
Resource Typeimage
TitleLamp, whale oil with double reflector
Coverage / Year1800 to 1850
DescriptionThis whale oil lamp is made of pewter. The foot holds a vertical cylindrical reservoir above which are held the typical parallel double wicks of the whale oil lamp. On either side of the wicks are two large pieces of glass meant to magnify the flame.
InterpretationWhale oil was highly prized from 1750 to 1850 as the best lamp oil fuel. It burned at a very steady rate, very brightly and with little smoke. Oil from the skull cavity of the spermaceti whale was the finest quality and was a major reason the whaling industry was so profitable. This lamp provided an extremely bright light and were sometimes called tailor's lamps because one had to be able to see well to work after dark when sewing. They probably were used by all sorts of people whose occupations required working after dark.
Author or CreatorUnknown
Subject / KeywordsWhale; Whales; Oil lamp; Whale oil; United States; Light; Lighting device; Reflector; Tailor; Tailor's lamp
Collection PublisherEarly American Museum;
Resource Identifier1968.001.1056a
CONTENTdm file name21851172422004_68.1.1056a.jpg