Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.047 |
Object Name |
Lamp, Betty |
Title |
Iron Betty Lamp |
Description |
A grey iron betty lamp with a triangular base featuring curved edges. A curved piece of iron is folded over the top of the base and attached to the right side. This folded metal piece has a circular hole near the left side, through which an iron string is threaded. The string is knotted near the hole. Below this hole, the base is open on top, revealing part of the interior. A smaller piece of iron protrudes from this opening, adding to the lamp's structure. The Betty Lamp comes with three 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." And the third and final 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." |
Date |
17th or 18th Century |
Material |
Iron |
Artist |
Unknown |
Height (in) |
2.500 |
Length (in) |
3.250 |
Width (in) |
2.500 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Corrosion throughout. The small stoker is missing. 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. Also, the small stoker is missing, just a wire hook remains. Top: There is corrosion all over. Bottom: There is corrosion all over. There is a green accretion on the bottom near the left side. And finally, there is a yellow accretion on the center near the left side. |
People |
Elizabeth Dillon Elizabeth Ledden-Wittekind Mary Wittekind-Moyer |
Classification |
Domestic Life/Household Goods |
Subjects |
Light Lighting industry Iron industry Oils & fats |
Search Terms |
Oils Fats Trenton Trenton Central High School Antique Elizabeth Dillon Elizabeth Ledden-Wittekind Mary Wittekind-Moyer Betty Lamp Iron Grey Light 17th Century 18th Century Lamp Iron Betty Lamp |
Provenance |
Found in collection |