Oil Lamp 95-1878, Santa Clara Wreck

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A delicate iron oil lamp emerges from the treasure chest of the 1564 Spanish galleon Santa Clara. Despite being completely corroded, its intricate shape is recovered through a meticulous casting process that isolates the original form from the encrustation that formed around it underwater. Measuring 7.3 cm in diameter and 2.6 cm deep, the pan features two sturdy lug handles on either side and a longer, curved handle at the back. Oil is poured into the pan, and one end of a wick is carefully placed within it. As the wick absorbs oil, its other end emerges from the spout at the front of the piece, ready to be lit at this exposed end. In Spain, such lamps are known as "candil."