Oil lamp carved from soapstone. This item is only 9 cm long, and is described in the Smithsonian Institution's catalogue as a model of a travelling lamp, which was a small lamp carried by people when they were travelling away from their main dwellings. It also resembles lamps used in domestic settings. It has the crescent shape characteristic of oil lamps, but lacks a ledge for a wick.

FROM CARD: "FIFTH OF REAL SIZE. SEMILUNAR SHAPE, SLATE, SOME TRACES OF BURNING. ILLUS: USNM REPT. 1896; P1 10; P. 1048." SEE NMNH REGISTRAR FILE "177 FOR THE YEAR 1863"