Lamps were originally used as necessary conveniences to a carriage, but are now more principally used for ornament, for which they are as well calculated as any article throughout. – A Treatise on Carriages by William Felton
Four things you need to know before entering the show ring with carriage lamps:
- After dark, carriage lamps should be lit, unless the show rules state otherwise.
- The wicks of the candles should be used (i.e., light the candles at least once before entering the ring).
- 1/2 – 3/4 of an inch of the wick should be showing.
- The top of the candle should be even with the top of the font.
One short clip of Jerry Rider talking about carriage lamps and candles.
Recorded at the 2019 CAA Learning Weekend, this is an up-close look at a lamp, includes great information on beeswax candles. 2 minutes and 47 seconds.
One talk on Lamps with Jack Day, Charlie Poppe and Jerry Rider
Recorded at the 2019 CAA Learning Weekend this discussion covers what vehicles different shapes of lamps go on. 36 minutes
Bonus: Looking for written guidelines regarding which lamps go with which vehicle?
In 2015 Rick Bischoff spoke at the CAA/CWF International Carriage Symposium on the lamps. His presentation is available in World On Wheels #5, available via the CAA Bookstore.
Rick has been making carriage lanterns since buying The Luminary Shoppe in 1982. He has studied and learned not only how to build and restore lamps, but also which lamps belong on particular vehicles. His printed work includes a chapter on carriage lamp restoration in Conservation and Restoration of Horse-Drawn Vehicles available through the Carriage Museum of America.
