Graetzin gas lamp

Date1850-1930

Inventory Number1996-1-0602

ClassificationLamp

Subject

Maker German

Cultural Region

Dimensions10 x 27 x 24 cm (3 15/16 x 10 5/8 x 9 7/16 in.)

Material

DescriptionA lamp consisting of an inverted burner inside a black cylindrical shell with two openings on opposite sides at the height of the burner, one of which bordered by an extension that makes a little roof (not seen in the picture). An adorned metal sleeve covers the black cylindrical shell at the point where the lamps' input pipes are attached. The gas inlet pipe is a long, curved metal pipe with a stopcock and a ribbed end. The air inlet is right by the sleeve in what looks like brass.

Signedmarked on black shell under the sleeve: GERMANY

Inscribedmarked on sleeve: GRAETZIN

Curatorial RemarksThe lamp was not necessarily fabricated by Graetz. Graetzin became the generic name for this kind of lamp.

FunctionGraetzin lamps were a form of gas lamps developed in Germany in the late 19th century by Max Graetz. They were designed to burn downwards and were designed to burn gas very efficiently. They became a popular form of lighting at the end of the 19th century.

For a detailed history of the lamp, see the biography of Max Graetz (in German) available at hytta.de, by clicking here.