Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.048 |
Object Name |
Lamp, Betty |
Title |
Covered Iron Betty Lamp |
Description |
A covered grey iron betty lamp with a keyhole-shaped base. Attached to the right side of the lamp is a long iron rod that curves toward the left. At the top of the curved rod, a circular hook is connected to a pointed iron rod. This pointed rod has a curved hook near its middle. On top of the wide portion of the base, there is a long cylindrical latch. To the immediate left of the latch, an elevated screw is present. On the far-left side of the base, there is a small section where the lamp is open, revealing the interior. A piece of curved iron protrudes from this small open section, completing the structure of the lamp. The Betty Lamp comes with four notes. The first note reads, "35. Lighting devices. Makers unknown. Probably America. Seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Iron and pottery, dimensions unavailable. Current whereabouts unknown. Left to right: iron rushlight holder, two iron bettylamps, and pottery grease lamp. the rushlight holder was originally mounted on a wooden base and held dried rushes that were burned. The betty lamps, one open, one covered, would have a fatty substance for fuel and a wick that protected from spout. The grease lamp was also filled with fluid to be burned and a wick that was ignited. None of these devices-which had there protypes in ancient time-provided adequate illumination by today's standards." The second note reads, " Betty Lamp. The Betty Lamp belonged to Elizabeth Dillon, South Lenape Avenue, Trenton, New Jersey. It hung in her kitchen. my mother, Elizabeth Ledden-Wittekind and Elizabeth Dillon were very close friends. They graduated from Trenton Central High School, Trenton New Jersey in 1923. They graduated from New Jersey College for Women, part of Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey in 1927. Miss. Dillon taught Drama and English at Trenton Central High School until her retirement. Miss. Dillon was very knowledgeable about antiques. Her home was "wall to wall" antiques from different periods. My mother had an interest in antiques also. Betty gave mother, my sisters, and me different pieces on special occasions. I got the Betty Lamp from Miss. Dillon's home. Mother and Betty remained friends for over 50 years. Mary Wittekind-Moyer March 19, 2014." The third note reads, "Betty Lamp. The Betty Lamp is a small open vessel to hold oil or fat, shaped at one point into a grooved slot for a wick. Marry Wittekind-Moyer March 19, 2014." The fourth and final note reads, "Betty Lamp. Wick/Oil. 18th Century," |
Date |
18th Century |
Material |
Iron |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
5.250 |
Length (in) |
4.750 |
Width (in) |
2.750 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Corrosion throughout Front: There is corrosion all over. Right Side: There is corrosion all over Back: There is corrosion all over Left Side: There is corrosion all over. Top: There is corrosion all over. Bottom: There is corrosion all over. Also, there are abrasions all over the edge. |
People |
Elizabeth Dillon Elizabeth Ledden-Wittekind Mary Wittekind-Moyer |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods |
Subjects |
Light Lighting industry Iron industry Oils & fats |
Search Terms |
Trenton Central High School Antique Elizabeth Dillon Elizabeth Ledden-Wittekind Mary Wittekind-Moyer Betty Lamp Iron Grey Light 18th Century Lamp Covered Iron Betty Lamp |
Provenance |
Found in collection |