French Cast Betty Lamp - Similar to lamp found on Queen Anne's Revenge - Circa 18th Century
Product Description
Name originating from the German word "besser," meaning better, the Betty Lamp became a popular alternative to the classic candle for lighting in the 1800's. It was preferred over earlier oil and grease lamps for it's internal wick holder feature, which minimized drips, keeping homes and workshops tidy. Later known as a Betty Lamp. The Betty Lamp covered the oil tight so it wouldn’t spill and secured the wick so it wouldn’t sink into the oil and go out. Commonly made from either brass or iron, our featured French Betty is turned out in a lovely iron, rich in dark chocolate brown patina, with a charming rooster finial, awaiting the glow of flame. It is in great condition for its age and hangs by its attached hook.
Mid-19th century ship lamps burned whale oil that was refined from the blubber or harvested from the head of a sperm whale. Sperm oil burned longer than blubber. Whale oil was often burned in Besser lamps. This same French Betty Lamp with Rooster was found on Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge at the North Carolina shipwreck excavation site. The QAR was once a French Slaver, the La Concorde.
