Miner's lamp

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This miner's oil lamp is from the Bozon Mines in the Department of Var in France. It dates from the 19th century and is made of iron.

The lamp consists of an enclosed round reservoir, with a small oval lid with a butterfly screw and a spout. The handle contains a pair of tweezers for trimming the wick. The lamp is attached to an arm which enables it to be hung from the roof or the wall.

In the 19th century, colliers came to be regarded as a working class elite with relatively high wages, but the industry was subject to little health or safety regulation. Mining was often a source of great wealth to the owners of mineral rights, but diseases and accidents to mineworkers were commonplace.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-547-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MGF 13
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Iron
  Lamp, miner's
  
• Dimensions: Reservoir 4.30" D; suspension rod 13.50" L; tweezers 4.30" L
  
• What: Lamp, miner's
  
• Subject: Foreign lighting objects (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: France, Var, Bozon Mines
  
• Event:
• Description: Miner's lamp of iron, from Bozon Mines, Department of Var, France, 19th century
  
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