Thomas Walker & Son Ltd - Table lamp - Copper - Maritime Impeller lamp

Collector's Item:
Unique, rare and Custom Made: lamp, with an authentic brass rotor, the Cherub Impeller by T. Walker & Son Ltd mounted on a wooden base. Fully functional and equipped with a cord with plug and a knife switch.
The lamp is without shade approx. 40x15x25 cm; the shade you get with it, then it is approx. 55x20x20 cm.
Weight over 2 kilos!

This vintage brass instrument is a ship log rotator (or "impeller"), manufactured by Thomas Walker & Son Ltd. in Birmingham, England.

Function and history
Purpose: It was used to measure the speed and distance traveled by a ship.

How it works: The rotator was towed astern of the ship on a long line. As it moved through the water, the four blades caused it to rotate. These rotations were transmitted via the line to a mechanical recording head (often a "Cherub" or "Trident" model) mounted on the ship's rail and displayed the distance in nautical miles.

Dating: Although the company was founded in the 1830s, the designation "Ltd" indicates that this particular specimen was probably manufactured after 1905. The "Cherub" rotator was a very successful design patented in 1878 and produced into the mid-20th century.

Features
Material: Solid brass, designed to resist corrosion from seawater.

Markings: It bears the name Thomas Walker & Son Ltd, Birmingham, England, the anchor logo and a number, 456.

Current use: Today these are highly sought-after maritime antiques for collectors. This particular specimen has been repurposed as a decorative lamp, a common way these historical pieces are displayed.

For further details, see all the photos, part of the description.
Shipping by registered mail and insured at the indicated costs