Floating Wick Lamp Or Oil Lamp With Stabilized Tank Called Cardan

oil pump in wrought iron Germany XVII th century. This very beautiful object consists of a central shaft in the shape of a molded baluster. This barrel is threaded in its lower part for fixing the cup and the base. (see photos) It is divided, in its upper part, into two arms, themselves cut, molded and drilled to receive the axes of the bucket. The cup made it possible to contain the oil which rose by capillary action into the wick placed at its end. This bucket placed on the barrel by two axes remained horizontal when moving with the lamp, this avoided spilling the oil. The wear caused by the axes on the two holes of the arms of the barrel proves that this object was very used. The lamp socket is riveted directly into the barrel. It could be a miner's lamp. Note slight traces of rust. Bibliography: The art of lighting by Jonathan Bourne and Vanessa Brett at Flammarion