N° d'objet
54/59
Description
This 'bull's eye' lantern came from Tring, in Hertfordshire. This sort of hand lantern was used by policemen and lamp lighters in the 19th century and probably later. It is a survival of a small candle lantern commonly used from the end of the 17th century, which had glass windows called roundels or 'bull's eyes'. This lantern holds a small oil lamp, and is itself made of tinned iron.
Description physique
1 lantern: metal (tinned iron) and glass; good condition
Historique d'archive
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘ This 'bull's eye' lantern came from Trint (Herts.). This sort of hand lamp was used by policemen and lamp lighters in the 19th century and probably later. It is a survival of a small candle lantern commonly used from the end of the 17th century, which had glass windows called roundels or 'bull's eyes'. // Early glass was made by taking a blob of the molten material and rotating it rapidly, the glass being thrown out in the form of a disc. The rod was removed, the flat portion cut off and used for ordinary purposes and the centre hub used for unimportant windows or lanterns. // This is a round lantern which holds a small oil lamp. It has a 'bull's eye glass' window set in a hinged door. The top consists of two lines of conical shaped ventilators, which are part of a separate sheath, fitting neatly inside the lantern which can be removed in order that the oil lamp can be lit more easily. It has two oval handles which fold back upon the body and a strong clip on the back which is strengthened by a spring. The lamp measures 7.75 inches in height and is made of tinned iron. //
Date
1800-01-01 - 1899-12-31
Période de création
Nineteenth century
Nom d'objet
Matériel
