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Early 19th Century Glass Ship Deck Prism

Name: Early 19th Century Glass Ship Deck Prism
Price: 165 USD
Availability: InStock

$165

Rust Belt Reclamation

Oconomowoc, WI

Condition Notes: Excellent vintage condition with no chips cracks or repairs. We do not know its age. Excellent vintage condition with no chips cracks or repairs. We do not know its age. less

Description: A deck prism, or bullseye, is a prism inserted into the deck of a ship to provide light down below. … more A deck prism, or bullseye, is a prism inserted into the deck of a ship to provide light down below.

For centuries, sailing ships used deck prisms to provide a safe source of natural sunlight to illuminate areas below decks. Before electricity, light below a vessel's deck was provided by candles, oil and kerosene lamps—all dangerous aboard a wooden ship. The deck prism laid flush into the deck, the glass prism refracted and dispersed natural light into the space below from a small deck opening without weakening the planks or becoming a fire hazard.
In normal usage, the prism hangs below the overhead and disperses the light sideways; the top is flat and installed flush with the deck, becoming part of the deck. (A plain flat glass panel would just form a single bright spot below—not the best option for general illumination—hence the prismatic shape.) less

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Oconomowoc, WI

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