LAMP
Dimensions27 x 10 x 10 cm
Object numberHF.75.30.1
DescriptionGlass whale oil lamp with a marble base. The base is a square piece of marble and has a fluted brass stem. At the top of the stem is a thick, eight sided glass font with a flat brass cap screws onto a brass collar on the top of the font. Rising through holes in the cap is two small brass pipes. There is also a tiny pinhole in cap. The wick is curled up inside the font.Narrative
Lamp oil made from whale blubber was a common and cheap way to light our homes for over three centuries! One downside was the lingering fishy smell. As newer materials were developed, whale oil luckily fell out of favour. Without this change, whales would have become extinct.
This lamp is associated with Benjamin Chappell, one of the Island's earliest settlers. Chappell came to PEI in 1774 aboard the Elizabeth and helped to found the first New London settlement.
Collections
circa 1880
circa 1880
