Crusies

A crusie is a form of oil lamp, often attributed to Scotland but probably of wider provenance. These examples, made of iron or brass, are all from Orkney. They date from the 18th century.

The crusie lamp has two pans. The upper one is an oil reservoir, the lower one a drip pan to collect any drops. They would have burned animal fat or fish oil and would have had a rush or rag for a wick.

Crusies gave rise to various superstitions. It was believed a blue flame meant the following day would be windy, and a green flame indicated the presence of a witch. A spark suggested news was coming to the person in whose direction the spark flew.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-102-217-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.MGE 62.2
Date:	18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century 18th century
Material:	Brass Brass Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron Iron. Inscription: Twice on stem: CD
Dimensions:	4.90" L x 2.80" W 4.90" L x 3.00" W 5.10" L x 3.20" W 5.50" L x 3.60" W 5.70" L x 3.60" W 6.70" L x 4.45" W 7.30" L x 3.35" W Stem 5.20" H; suspension rod 2.80" L Stem 5.70" H; suspension rod 5.00" L Stem 6.10" H; suspension rod 5.60" L Stem 6.40" H; suspension rod 5.05" L Stem 6.50" H; suspension rod 5.10" L Stem 8.70" H; suspension rod 6.15" L Stem 9.10" H; suspension rod 3.40" L
What:	Crusie / lower pan Crusie / lower pan Crusie / lower pan Crusie / lower pan Crusie / lower pan Crusie / lower pan Crusie / lower pan Crusie / upper pan Crusie / upper pan Crusie / upper pan Crusie / upper pan Crusie / upper pan Crusie / upper pan Crusie / upper pan
Subject:	Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification) Lighting - crusies and stands (NMAS Classification)
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney Scotland, Orkney
Event:
Description:	Iron crusie with a lower pan which is triangular and flat-bottomed, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a lower pan which is triangular and flat-bottomed, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a lower pan which has a round bottom and a spout squared off at the end, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a lower pan which has a round bottom and a spout squared off at the end, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a round lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a round lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a thick, round lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a thick, round lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a round, shallow lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a round, shallow lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a round lower pan which has a spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Iron crusie with a round lower pan which has a spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Brass crusie with a round lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century Brass crusie with a round lower pan which has a long spout and a flat bottom, from Orkney, 18th century
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