Posted 7 years ago
hotairfan
(388 items)
Here are some early lighting that I have. I believe that they are all from the 18th Century.
The first photo shows a combination Rush/Candle holder. Candles took time to make, so they were reserved to when guests came to the house. If the family needed light other than from the fireplace, they burned rush (Cattail stem core that was soaked in animal fat)
The second photo shows a saw tooth trammel candle holder. It was raised or lowered by the tooth level that you chose for the need at hand
The third is a double cup primitive fat burning lamp, possibly made by the colonial pioneer himself by the crude construction, I really like it though.
The third is a fat lamp called a "Petty coat Lamp". Called this because of the unique shape that resembles a woman's petty coat. It could be placed on a table for light, or could be placed on the spire of a ladder back chair while reading the scriptures. There is a cup shaped tube soldered under the petticoat skirt that you could fit the lamp snuggly on the chair spire.
The fat lamps are very interesting. As one who uses oil lamps I can appreciate what an advantage those are over candles. Have a feeling fat lamps don't work as well as oil lamps.
I think you're right, fortapache. Fat Lamps are poor comparison to today's lamp oil. they also probably stank of rancid fat, but, they were much better than the earlier forms of lighting, such as dimly lit rush lighying or pine knots that sputtered and smoked profusely. Of course, without knowing any difference, they were thrilled with having lit evenings and the lighting of the day. ...Thanks For Your Comments
Luv them. You're on a roll today !