Brass whale oil lamp
Date19th century
Object number00006602
NameWhale oil lamp
MediumBrass
DimensionsOverall: 199 mm, 1.69 kg
ClassificationsTableware and furnishings
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionWhale oil lamps such as this brass one, were used for decades. Spermaceti, a waxy liquid found in the large head cavity of sperm whales, made high-quality clean burning candles. Oil was the primary reason for whale hunting.HistoryWhaling played an essential part in 19th century life. Industry and households depended on whale products for which there was no substitute. Whale oil was used for lighting and lubrication until 1860 when kerosene and petroleum started to gain popularity. The pure clean oil from sperm whales was a superior source of lighting and the finest candles were made from the whale's wax-like spermaceti. The oil was also used in the manufacture of hundreds of commodities, most notably soap and margarine. Light and flexible, baleen - the bristle-fringed plates found in the jaws of baleen whales - had many uses in objects which today would be made out of plastic.SignificanceThis whale oil lamp is typical of the type of lamps found in homes during the 19th century.
19th century
19th century
19th century
before 1978
late 19th century
19th century
1980s-1990s