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A crusie is a simple form of oil lamp that was used in the western coastal regions of the British Isles. This crusie originated in Scotland
A crusie is a simple form of oil lamp that was used in the western coastal regions of the British Isles, including Cornwall, Wales, Ireland, Scotland and the Western Islands. This crusie originated in Scotland. It is made of wrought iron and would have burned fish oil using one wick. It consists of two lipped bowls: the top one, containing the oil, would be suspended from a notched rack so that it can be tipped forward when the oil supply is low, and the bottom bowl would hold the oil which trickled over the top lip. It has a hook so that it could be hung from which it could be suspended, and a spike by which it could be driven into the wall.

1 crusie: metal (wrought iron)

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'The crusie is a primitive form of oil lamp, used in the remoter parts of Scotland, in the Shetlands where it is called a COLLIE, in Cornwall where it is a called a CHILL, and the Channel Islands where it is called a CRESSET. It consists of two open iron bowls. The top bowl contains the oil and is suspended from the notched rack, so that it can be tilted forward as the oil diminishes. The bottom bowl holds the oil that trickles over the top lip. The lamps were most often made of iron, and the bowls hammered out and shaped on discs. Some cruises are made to burn more than one wick. // The hook and spike at the back of the lamp enables it to be either stuck in the wall or suspended from the ceiling. Stands are sometimes provided, so that they can be used as table lamps. // Fish oil, obtained from cod, hake, ling or herring, is usually burnt in these lamps/ the wicks are of pith, moss, hemp or cotton. The smell was very strong, so that their use was mainly in smaller farmhouses and poor cottages. // This crusie is Scottish, and is made of wrought iron. It was designed for use with one wick. It had a hook for suspension from the ceiling or from a stand, and a spike which could be driven into the wall. The handle of the top bowl which fits onto the rack, is a restoration. // It measures 10 inches when hung.', Victoria & Albert Museum No. 162a, 1906.

1800-01-01 - 1824-12-31

Early-nineteenth century