19th Century Scottish vernacular rams horn cruisie oil lamp

For sale is a charismatic Scottish vernacular double-pan 'Cruisie' oil lamp from the mid 19th Century circa 1850. - In the 18th and 19th Century in the Highlands, coasts and Islands of Scotland lighting methods and the availability of fuels such as comparatively expensive candles was limited.  This meant that adaptations of rush lighting and the use of oil from fish in coastal districts was commonplace.  This was alongside the basic glow from the light of fires in open hearth dwellings/croft houses. - This wrought iron, blacksmith made oil lamp or betty  was handmade by hammering out a plate of iron to form into a mould.  This was suspended from a wall, nail or beam to provide an adaptable and movable, additional source of light. - This elegant and mid size hanging oil lamp is handmade in wrought iron and swings from a decoratively twisted hanging hook down to a revolving attachment loop located at the top of the oil lamp bracket. -  Cruisie lamps vary a great deal in design and shape, dependent on the availability of iron and the purpose for which they were used.   - This design has a simple and elegant 'Rams Head' design to the smaller upper oil pan as shown in the images.  The upper pan sits on a notched bracket with four notches. - The twisted bar hanger has a decorative shepherds crook like top as shown in the images. - This is a standard approach with a double pan arrangement (which allowed them to catch the oil drips and not waste anything).   - Cruisie lamps consist of leaf-shaped vessels in which to hold the oil, into which a floating rush or appropriate wick was placed from the neck to act as a wick soaking up the oil to burn as a bright light source.  In modern times people utilise tea-lights or olive oil into these cruisie lamps with an appropriate wick to reproduce soft/atmospheric lighting. An elegant design vernacular item with considerable charm from the Scotland ready for another 175+ years of utility. Free delivery in the mainland UK as priced. International buyers are welcome, but please contact us prior to payment to confirm the additional packaging, insurance and shipping costs by way of acceptance to your country. Purchaser responsible for local import tariffs/fees. If you are interested in multiple items, please contact us for combined postage.