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1888.43.4.1

Soapstone lamp, heavily blackened. Semi-circular or half moon shaped lamp with angled, flat bottom which causes the lamp to tip forward when flat. The back (straight) side has a deeper rim, while the rest of the rim is only slightly raised and rounded. The interior is flat. Carving marks are clearly evident. The moss wick for this lamp is [188.43.4 .2]. [MOBB [OPS move] 16/6/2017]

1888.43.4.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Soapstone lamp, heavily blackened. Semi-circular or half moon shaped lamp with angled, flat bottom which causes the lamp to tip forward when flat. The back (straight) side has a deeper rim, while the rest of the rim is only slightly raised and rounded. The interior is flat. Carving marks are clearly evident. The moss wick for this lamp is [188.43.4 .2]. [MOBB [OPS move] 16/6/2017]
Long description
Soapstone lamp [.1] with moss [.2] (Polytrichum) for wick
Geographical reference
Northern America
Northern America
Circumpolar North
Cultural groups
Inuit (Greenland)
Inuit
Date
Date collected
By 1883
Acquisition information
Transferred: 1886, uncertain Transferred: 1888, uncertain
Materials and processes
Material Stone, Material Steatite Stone, Process Carved
Dimensions
Height: max 43 mm, Width: max 110 mm, Length: max 204 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1888.43.4.1 Other numbers: D 25
Research and responses

There are entries for a Cree amulet, Esquimaux stone lamp, spear-thrower and game from Walter Haydon listed in the 1883 Annual Report for the Oxford University Museum. Given that we have only one of each of these listed in the accession book I think the date given of 1888 is wrong (or a misreading) and these objects were actually given to the Oxford University Museum Department of Anatomy and Zoology Anthropology in 1883 and later transferred to the PRM [AP 11/10/2012]

Dr Walton Haydon worked as surgeon and clerk for the HBC 1878-1883; he was stationed at Moose Factory in James Bay. See his updated biography. [L Peers, 21/02/2008]

Search terms: Lighting, Dwelling, Food and Drink, Lamp, Cooking Tool, Food Accessory