Posted 7 years ago
sklo42
(898 items)
The article referred to in my previous post included line drawings of various types of Life Lights, including the ones you see above. I have been collecting this tri-lobed heart shape for some time now and was stunned to recognise this shape among the 'Oil and Floating Wick' examples.
Height 17.5 cm,/6.5 inches
Very interesting post Peggy!
As I couldn't make my link work, Lesley, I've put the title of the article in image four and you can google it if interested. The images are right at the end.
Fascinating. Most of my vases ain't vases! I just posted what I believe is a life light, with the link if it works. What have you started!?
Such a new idea for me.
All I can imagine is that beautiful as they would look lit, soot would discolour the glass constantly!
Fran, I merely thought it worth posting the line drawings which linked to pieces I have. The dimensions given in the article match the pieces I have too. But also I confined myself to two complex shapes as they leave less scope for error.
Karen, I have no experience of oil lamps so could have no idea of the drawbacks. The article did say that these and candle lamps were in use from around 1775 to 1900 and that the oil/wick type were the earliest type. If oil/wick was the only option perhaps it was better than no light at all. Perhaps the candle type gained popularity as they had no soot problem. Just speculation......