Crusies

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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: 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
  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
  
• 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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