Lantern

Object Name:

Lantern

Object ID:

1968.506.05

Description:

Lantern, oil. Steel, glass, and brass. At top is a sheet-metal handle, 4.4"diameter, 0.8" wide; edges are rolled over; central ridge around handle; soldered together at lap joint. Heavy wire with loop on end that passes through joint on handle and through small disc with slightly raised center, through top of U-shaped stirrup of sheet-metal and terminates by wrapping around another horizontal wire. Horizontal wire has loops on the ends where it passes through bottom ends of sheet-metal stirrup. Horizontal wire passes through cone-shaped metal top of cylindrical cap for the glass shape. Cone-shaped cover has horizontal rib near bottom edge and there are two smaller ribs adjacent to it on either side. Cone-shaped portion terminates in rolled edge that attaches to top edge of cylindrical section. Cylinder has horizontal rows of five-pointed stars that are canted slightly to left. Horizontal row of diamond-shaped perforations and another row of five-pointed stars that are straight. At bottom edge of cylinder are two small ridges, a larger rounded ridge then two more smaller ridges. Glass shade is mostly likely held in place by plaster around its top section which grips inside of cover in area of ridges. Smoke residue on inside of glass shade in this area make it difficult to see attachment details. Inside cover is a small baffle and smoke residues on inside of cover are seen. Glass shade is octagonal and tapers slightly from top to a larger base. Two shoulders and top and bottom of shade. Bottom of shade is attached to sheet-metal cylinder 0.8" wide and is attached with plaster. Cylinder has two small pins opposite each other on exterior. Pins on side of bottom fit into a L-shaped locking groove on sheet-metal bottom section. Bottom section has side wall ~1" high. Top edge rolled over. Raised ridge around circumference near top. Bottom edge flares out and fits into rolled edge for bottom sheet. Vertical overlap solder joint on one side. Row of inverted five-pointed stars near bottom edge of side. Bottom sheet has concave area 2.7" diameter when viewed from bottom. Oil lamp and reservoir that fits loosely inside of device. Circular sheet-metal sleeve approximately 2.2" diameter and 0.6" high that is filled with plaster that extends above top and holds glass reservoir. Reservoir was pushed down on some firm, wet plaster and excess was pushed out and then probably smoothed off a bit. Some sections of excess plaster that are broken off and missing. Glass reservoir is ten-sided. Two mold marks running up sides at juncture between facets. Flat sides extend upward from base and turn over a shoulder and lead to as burner adapter ring. Exposed glass is 2.2" high. Atop glass is brass adapter ring and threaded burner unit attached to it. Oil residue over ring and burner unit. Flat wick and wick holder in burner unit. Adjusting knob on side. Adjusting shaft has striated decorations. Flat brass knob held in place by brass rod being center-punched to expand end of rod, almost like riveted process. On knob is text around outside: "MERIDEN MILLER & CO." Inside of that is: "CONN."

Material:

Metal
Glass
Brass
Steel

Dimensions:

H-15.2 Dia-10.8 inches

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection