57/388/1-3
This type of lacemakers lamp was widely used in northern Europe and Great Britain. It is thought to date from the 17th century. The protruding spout wick meant that the light was virtually shadowless if the lacework was held underneath the wick.
Physical description
1 oil lamp: metal [polished brass]
Archival history
MERL ‘Associated information’ form – 'Lamp // [pencil sketch] // Age // probably 17th Century // Who made it and where? // Widely used in North Europe + in U.K. (see Robins p.xxii) // Who used it and where? // Equipped with spout wick so that the light was virtually shadowless for lacemaking if the work was held underneath the wick. // ... Any other information // h 12 1.2" Polished brass with pricker on chain.'MERL Provisional Group Card – 'Lamp // ... Period // c. 17th century // ... This is a lacemaker's lamp. It was widely used in Northern Europe and in Great Britain. It is equipped with a spout wick so that the light was virtually shadowless for lacemaking, if the work were held underneath the wick. // It stands 12 1/2" high and is made of polished brass, with a pricker on a chain. // It is in working order.'Letter, A. J. Burkart to J. W. Y. Higgs, 22 August 1957 - 'Thank you for your letter of 15th August. I now return the specifications of the lamps I referred to. // Nearly all are in full working order and those that are not, need only minor repair. No. 6 and no 21 are the artistic gems of the collection, though not necessarily the most interesting. // References to Falk are to a Falk, Stadelmann catelogue I was fortunate to acquire which is virtually a catalogue raisonne of lamps for domestic and non-industrial use. References to Robins are to F. W. Robins, "Story of the Lamp" (O.U.P.) 1937...'
Seventeenth century