20/06/2026
Magpies Treasures UK
Vintage Vault Talk
Episode 6
Cyfarthfa Castle, 1908
In 1908, Cyfarthfa Castle, in Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, would have been lit up using these brass oil-lamps
Each evening a young housemaid was tasked with lighting these lamps at dusk
She would trim the cotton wick using specialised brass scissors, and fill the spun-brass reservoir with clean, pungent paraffin, screw the burner back in place, and strike a match
As the flame caught, she would slowly turn the brass wheels to raise the wicks, lowering the shade onto the gallery
It would transform the dark room instantly, and also throw out a warming heat
The family would gather in the heart of the castle, and talk about christmas long past and play parlour games, their laughter echoing around the cold corridors
The older members of the family would be sat at their oak desks, busily scratching out words with their fountain pens, in long letters to their loved ones and friends far away
When electricity finally arrived in the valley, the lamps were drilled through and wired up, but not this one!
This one survived in its original condition, except for its lampshade
It would have been a white frosted tulip, cranberry glass with a swirl texture, or this honey combed amber which would cast its golden glow across a wood panelled room
Which is your favourite lampshade?
