E0252: Inuit- Lamp

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0252

Classification Category:

2:Furnishings ➞ Lighting Device

Materials:

stone/minerals

Dimensions:

33 cm L
14.5 cm W

Provenance of Object:

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Use/Function:

Filled with blubber from seals, then a wick is added to burn the blubber. Used for heat, cooking, and light inside Inuit homes.

Source Locality:

Alaska, USA

Description:

Inuit stone lamp. Animal fat, specifically whale or seal blubber, would be placed on the stone along with grass and lit to create light and heat.

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