Miner's lamp

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This miner's oil lamp dates was made in the 19th century in Lochgelly in Fife by a J. Melville. It is made of sheet brass.

The lamp is in the form of a tapering cylindrical jug with a hinged lid, spout for a wick and a wire hook for suspension. Stamped on the side is `J. MELVILLE / LOCHGELLY'.

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: 000-100-103-552-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MGH 23
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: On side: J. MELVILLE LOCHGELLY
  Lamp, miner's
  
• Dimensions: 1.80" H x 1.50" base D
  
• What: Lamp, miner's
  
• Subject: Lighting - oil lamps with spout and/or wick, mostly tin (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: J. Melville, Lochgelly (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Fife, Lochgelly
  
• Event:
• Description: Small miner's lamp in the form of a tapering cylindrical jug, with a lid, hinged at the side, 19th century
  
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