Oil Lamp
Dublin Core
Title
Oil Lamp
Subject
South, Stanley A.
Archaeology.
Wachovia (N.C.)--History.
Artifacts.
Pottery.
Moravians.
Aust, Gottfried, 1722-1788.
Lighting.
Description
Redware oil lamp manufactured by Gottfried Aust in Bethabara. This lamp is coated in a brown glaze. The brown color was obtained by adding manganese oxide to the lead glaze.
The lamp’s design is unique. It has a base similar to candlesticks found throughout Bethabara. Just above the base, a ring circles the stem. A cup is built into the piece about midway up the stem. This cup serves to catch drips and is also the lower attachment point for the handle. It has a small spout on one side. A larger reservoir cup rests at the top of the stem. The handle attaches to the edge of the cup. On the opposite side of the cup from the handle, there is a spout for pouring. Aligned with the spout, a ceramic wick holder is built into the lamp.
A wick was placed in the wick holder, and grease or oil filled the reservoir to fuel the lamp.
This style lamp, with the two cups, has only been archaeologically recovered in Bethabara. It is a unique design, this is the most intact example of this pattern known to exist.
Dimensions: 5” tall, 4” diameter base.
The lamp’s design is unique. It has a base similar to candlesticks found throughout Bethabara. Just above the base, a ring circles the stem. A cup is built into the piece about midway up the stem. This cup serves to catch drips and is also the lower attachment point for the handle. It has a small spout on one side. A larger reservoir cup rests at the top of the stem. The handle attaches to the edge of the cup. On the opposite side of the cup from the handle, there is a spout for pouring. Aligned with the spout, a ceramic wick holder is built into the lamp.
A wick was placed in the wick holder, and grease or oil filled the reservoir to fuel the lamp.
This style lamp, with the two cups, has only been archaeologically recovered in Bethabara. It is a unique design, this is the most intact example of this pattern known to exist.
Dimensions: 5” tall, 4” diameter base.
Creator
Aust, Gottfried, 1722-1788.
Date
1756-1760
Type
Physical Object
Format
JPEG
Identifier
2018.2.9
Source
OC2-Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection Exhibit
Relation
Historic Bethabara Park Archaeology Collection
Stanley South Manuscript Collection Box – Folder 3-3
Rights
Rights held by Historic Bethabara Park, Inc. Use and reproduction restrictions apply. Contact Historic Bethabara Park Archives.
Contributor
Photography: Daniel Ferguson
Rights Holder
Historic Bethabara Park, Inc.
Citation
Aust, Gottfried, 1722-1788., “Oil Lamp,” Historic Bethabara Park Collections, accessed April 26, 2024, https://historicbethabarapark.omeka.net/items/show/33.