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Culture:American or English
Title:fat lamps
Date Made:18th-19th century
Type:Lighting Device
Materials:base metal: iron
Place Made:United States or United Kingdom; England
Accession Number:  HD 55.167
Museum Collection:  Historic Deerfield

Description:
Two wrought iron fat lamps (also known as a crusie or betty lamp) on a standard. The basic shape of the fat lamp changed little from pre-Roman civilizations until the 19th century; generally they are hanging grease-burning lamps with one or two pans (the second, lower pan could catch drippings), and little or no wick support. The lamp was filled with animal fat or oil and a fabric wick lit to illuminate a small area within the house; unfortunately, fat lamps are better known for their smoke than light since they could be extremely sooty and smelly depending on the fat source - beef fat or tallow was preferred. Although made by America blacksmiths, many were imported by American merchants from Birmingham, England.

Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+55.167

Research on objects in the collections, including provenance, is ongoing and may be incomplete. If you have additional information or would like to learn more about a particular object, please email fc-museums-web@fivecolleges.edu.

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