Wick trimmer
Wick trimmer
Name/Title
Wick trimmerEntry/Object ID
2025.1.602Description
Metal scissor-like instrument with small pan attached to one blade and a paddle attached to the other. When the wick was cut the excess was pushed by the paddle into the side pan. This trimmer was most likely for a kerosene lamp.Context
Open flames were the main sources of light for illumination at night until the early 20th century. It was a regular maintenance task in every household to trim wicks. Trimmers were made of various materials including silver to iron.Category
Domestic