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97-400: A Bude-Light was a very bright oil lamp (later, in its modified form, a gas lamp ) invented by Sir Goldsworthy Gurney , patented by him on 8 June 1839 and named after Bude , Cornwall , where he lived. As first developed, the light worked by introducing pure oxygen into the centre of an Argand burner . It was claimed to be a cheap way of producing a bright light: the unburned carbon in

194-457: A deepastambha in front of a temple is still a general practice in western and southern India. In some of the South Indian temples, raised brass lamp towers called Kamba Vilakku can be seen. To adapt the design to households and smaller spaces, the deepavriksha ('tree of light') was created. As the name suggests, it is a metal lamp container with curvi-linear lines branching out from

291-592: A bugler playing the Last Post and a two-minute silence at 11 am. In February 2019, hundreds of students participated in a protest against climate change as a part of the School strike for Climate campaign. The protest started in the nearby Parliament Square , and as the day went on, the demonstrators moved towards Trafalgar Square. In July 2020, two members of the protest group Animal Rebellion were arrested on suspicion for criminal damage after releasing red dye into

388-488: A fir ) is presented by Norway's capital city, Oslo as London's Christmas tree , a token of gratitude for Britain's support during World War II. (Besides war-time support, Norway's Prince Olav and the country's government lived in exile in London throughout the war. ) The Christmas tree is decorated with lights that are switched on at a seasonal ceremony. It is usually held twelve days before Christmas Day. The festivity

485-440: A Nelson Memorial Committee had approached the government proposing that a monument to the victory of Trafalgar, funded by public subscription, should be erected in the square. A competition was held and won by the architect William Railton , who proposed a 218-foot-3-inch (66.52 m) Corinthinan column topped by a statue of Nelson and guarded by four sculpted lions. The design was approved, but received widespread objections from

582-540: A campaign for social reform by the working class began in the square. A ban on political rallies remained in effect until the 1880s, when the emerging Labour movement , particularly the Social Democratic Federation , began holding protests. On 8 February 1886 (also known as "Black Monday"), protesters rallied against unemployment leading to a riot in Pall Mall . A larger riot ( " Bloody Sunday " ) occurred in

679-483: A cave that was inhabited 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Some archaeologists claim that the first shell-lamps existed more than 6,000 years ago ( Neolithic , Later Stone Age , c. 8500–4500 BC). They believe that the alabaster shell-shaped lamps dug up in Sumerian sites dating to 2600 BC were imitations of real shell-lamps that had been used for a long time ( Early Bronze Age , Canaanite / Bronze I–IV , c. 3300–2000 BC). It

776-464: A chair in a relaxed pose, and was inaugurated at a ceremony presided over by Prince Albert . It was moved to Kensington Gardens in 1862. The other, of General Charles George Gordon by Hamo Thornycroft , was erected on an 18-foot high pedestal between the fountains in 1888. It was removed in 1943 and re-sited on the Victoria Embankment ten years later. In 1841, following suggestions from

873-623: A cost of £140,000. For many years, revellers celebrating the New Year have gathered in the square despite a lack of celebrations being arranged. The lack of official events was partly because the authorities were concerned that encouraging more partygoers would cause overcrowding. Since 2003, a firework display centred on the London Eye and South Bank of the Thames has been provided as an alternative. Since 2014, New Year celebrations have been organised by

970-666: A crowd of 10,000 demonstrated against US involvement in the Vietnam War before marching to the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square . Throughout the 1980s, a continuous anti- apartheid protest was held outside South Africa House. In 1990, the Poll Tax Riots began by a demonstration attended by 200,000 people and ultimately caused rioting in the surrounding area. More recently, there have been anti-war demonstrations opposing

1067-456: A deep pinch that flattens the mouth and makes it protrude outward. Greek lamps are more closed to avoid spilling. They are smaller and more refined. Most are handle-less. Some are with a lug, which may be pierced or not pierced. The nozzle is elongated. The rim is folded over so it overlaps in order to make the nozzle, and is then pinched to make the wick hole. They are round in shape and wheel-made. The earliest Chinese oil lamps are dated from

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1164-498: A few types of oil lamps that are common in temples and traditional rituals. Some of the smaller ones are used for offerings as well. Oil lamps are lit at traditional Chinese shrines before either an image of a deity or a plaque with Classical Chinese characters giving the name of the deity. Such lamps are usually made from clear glass (giving them a similar appearance to normal drinking glasses) and are filled with oil, sometimes with water underneath. A cork or plastic floater containing

1261-597: A filling hole. Late Roman lamps were of the "High Imperial" type. They included more decorations, and were produced locally or imported in large scale. The multiple-nozzled lamps appeared during this period. Many different varieties were created. Frog type lamps also appeared during this period. These are kidney-shaped, heart-shaped or oval, and feature the motif of a frog or its abstraction, and sometimes geometrical motifs. They were produced around 100 AD. They are so variant that two identical lamps are seldom found. Early Christian and late antique oil lamps were diverse. One of

1358-540: A flame of the same size on a conventional oil lamp; its use in lighthouses was not pursued, however, due to high running costs. The chair of the parliamentary lighthouse committee, however, Joseph Hume , was involved in the reconstruction of the Palace of Westminster at the time and saw a potential opportunity for their use there. In May 1839, he presented his lamp to a select committee of the House of Commons ; subsequently their use

1455-529: A large area south of Kent's stable block, and as far east as St Martin's Lane. His plans left open the whole area of what became Trafalgar Square, except for a block in the centre, which he reserved for a new building for the Royal Academy of Arts . The plans included the demolition and redevelopment of buildings between St Martin's Lane and the Strand and the construction of a road (now called Duncannon Street) across

1552-467: A major consideration was increasing the visual impact of the National Gallery, which had been widely criticised for its lack of grandeur. He dealt with the complex sloping site by excavating the main area to the level of the footway between Cockspur Street and the Strand, and constructing a 15-foot (4.6 m) high balustraded terrace with a roadway on the north side, and steps at each end leading to

1649-635: A mixture of turpentine and alcohol, were sold as lamp fuels starting in the 1830s as the whale oil industry declined. Burning fluid became more expensive during the Civil War when a federal tax on alcohol was reenacted . Sales of both camphene and burning fluid decreased in the late 1800s as other sources of lighting, such as kerosene made from petroleum, gas lighting and electric lighting , began to predominate. Most modern lamps (such as fueled lanterns ) have been replaced by gas-based or petroleum-based fuels to operate when emergency non-electric light

1746-703: A quarter as much oil. There were setbacks during the trials, however: it proved difficult to trim the wicks satisfactorily, without interrupting debates, and managing the flexible tubes which provided the oxygen feed further complicated this procedure. Moreover, obtaining pure oxygen (which Gurney had sought to source from Manganese being mined in Devon and Cornwall ) proved to be less straightforward and much more expensive than first thought. He therefore began to modify his design, convinced that, by doing so, he would be able to create an 'Atmospheric' Bude-Lamp: by substituting air for oxygen with little detrimental effect. To eliminate

1843-471: A significant landmark since the 1200s. For centuries, distances measured from Charing Cross have served as location markers. The site of the present square formerly contained the elaborately designed, enclosed courtyard, King's Mews . After George IV moved the mews to Buckingham Palace , the area was redeveloped by John Nash , but progress was slow after his death, and the square did not open until 1844. The 169-foot (52 m) Nelson's Column at its centre

1940-596: A strong shadow). When the Big Temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu , was built 1010 AD, there were elaborate measures taken to provide lighting for the temple. Lands were donated to or conquered for the temple for this sole objective. The income from these lands would go towards providing the oil for the lights. [REDACTED] Media related to Oil lamps at Wikimedia Commons Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square ( / t r ə ˈ f æ l ɡ ər / trə- FAL -gər )

2037-461: A tunnel. Water was pumped to the fountains by a steam engine housed in a building behind the gallery. In the late-1930s it was decided to replace the pump and the centrepieces of the fountains. The new centrepieces, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens , were memorials to Lord Jellicoe and Lord Beatty, although busts of the admirals, initially intended to be placed in the fountain surrounds were placed against

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2134-459: A wick is placed on top of the oil with the bottom of the wick submerged in the oil. Such lamps are kept burning in shrines, whether private or public, and incense sticks or joss sticks are lit from the lamp. Curved stone lamps were found in places dated to the 10th millennium BC ( Mesolithic , Middle Stone Age Period, c. 10,300–8000 BC). The oldest stone-oil lamp was found in Lascaux in 1940 in

2231-608: Is a public square in the City of Westminster , Central London , established in the early 19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross . The square's name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar , the British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar . The site around Trafalgar Square has been

2328-470: Is a transition period from Byzantine to Islamic lamps. The decoration on lamps of this transition period changed from crosses, animals, human likenesses, birds, or fish to plain linear, geometric, and raised-dot patterns. The early Islamic lamps continued the traditions of Byzantine lamps. Decorations were initially a stylized form of a bird, grain, tree, plant, or flower. Later, they became entirely geometric or linear with raised dots. An early description of

2425-477: Is generally agreed that the evolution of handmade lamps moved from bowl-shaped to saucer-shaped, then from saucer with a nozzle, to a closed bowl with a spout. The first manufactured red pottery oil lamps appeared in the Chalcolithic . These were of the round bowl type. Bronze Age lamps were simple wheel-made bowls with a slight pinch on four sides for the wick. Later lamps had only one pinch. These lamps vary in

2522-566: Is guarded by four lion statues. A number of commemorative statues and sculptures occupy the square, but the Fourth Plinth , left empty since 1840, has been host to contemporary art since 1999. Prominent buildings facing the square include the National Gallery , St Martin-in-the-Fields , Canada House , and South Africa House . The square has been used for community gatherings and political demonstrations , including Bloody Sunday in 1887,

2619-544: Is lit at sundown. The lamp in the home shrine is supposed to be lit before any other lights are turned on at night. A hand-held oil lamp or incense sticks (lit from the lamp) are also used during the Hindu puja ceremony. In the North of India, a five-wick lamp is used, usually fueled with ghee . On special occasions, various other lamps may be used for puja, the most elaborate having several tiers of wicks. In South India , there are

2716-506: Is lit internally with fibre-optics and has a small seating area positioned around the light. Download coordinates as: Oil lamp Oil lamps are a form of lighting , and were used as an alternative to candles before the use of electric lights. Starting in 1780, the Argand lamp quickly replaced other oil lamps still in their basic ancient form. These in turn were replaced by the kerosene lamp in about 1850. In small towns and rural areas

2813-439: Is named after the Battle of Trafalgar , a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars with France and Spain that took place on 21 October 1805 off the coast of Cape Trafalgar , southwest Spain, although it was not named as such until 1835. The name "Trafalgar" is a Spanish word of Arabic origin , derived from either Taraf al-Ghar ( طرف الغار 'cape of the cave/laurel') or Taraf al-Gharb ( طرف الغرب 'extremity of

2910-516: Is open to the public and attracts a large number of people. The switch-on is usually followed by several nights of Christmas carol singing and other performances and events. On the twelfth night of Christmas, the tree is taken down for recycling. Westminster City Council threatened to abandon the event to save £5,000 in 1980 but the decision was reversed. The tree is selected by the Head Forester from Oslo's municipal forest and shipped, across

3007-446: Is regarded as the official centre of London in legislation and when measuring distances from the capital . Building work on the south side of the square in the late 1950s revealed deposits from the last interglacial period. Among the findings were the remains of cave lions , rhinoceroses , straight-tusked elephants and hippopotami . The site has been significant since the 13th century. During Edward I 's reign it hosted

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3104-402: Is required. Oil lamps are currently used primarily for their ambience. The following are the main external parts of a terra-cotta lamp: Lamps can be categorized based on different criteria, including material ( clay , silver , bronze , gold , stone , slip ), shape, structure, design, and imagery (e.g. symbolic, religious, mythological, erotic, battles, hunting). Typologically, lamps of

3201-549: Is to the south and the Strand to the east. Charing Cross Road passes between the National Gallery and the church. London Underground 's Charing Cross station on the Northern and Bakerloo lines has an exit in the square. The lines had separate stations, of which the Bakerloo line one was called Trafalgar Square until they were linked and renamed in 1979 as part of the construction of

3298-651: Is traditionally olive oil . Oil lamps are also referenced as a symbol throughout the New Testament, including in the Parable of the Ten Virgins . Oil lamps are commonly used in Hindu temples as well as in home shrines. Generally the lamps used in temples are circular with places for five wicks. They are made of metal and either suspended on a chain or screwed onto a pedestal. There will usually be at least one lamp in each shrine, and

3395-748: The A4 , a major road running west of the City of London . Originally having roadways on all four sides, traffic travelled in both directions around the square until a one-way clockwise gyratory system was introduced on 26 April 1926. Works completed in 2003 reduced the width of the roads and closed the northern side to traffic. Nelson's Column is in the centre of the square, flanked by fountains designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens between 1937 and 1939 (replacements for two of Peterhead granite , now in Canada) and guarded by four monumental bronze lions sculpted by Sir Edwin Landseer . At

3492-697: The Afghanistan War and the Iraq War . A large vigil was held shortly after the terrorist bombings in London on Thursday, 7 July 2005. In December 2009, participants from the Camp for Climate Action occupied the square for the two weeks during which the UN Conference on Climate Change took place in Copenhagen . It was billed as a UK base for direct action on climate change and saw various actions and protests stem from

3589-657: The Ancient Mediterranean can be divided into seven major categories: Lamps appear in the Torah and other Jewish sources as a symbol of "lighting" the way for the righteous, the wise, and for love and other positive values. While fire was often described as being destructive, light was given a positive spiritual meaning. The oil lamp and its light were important household items, and this may explain their symbolism. Oil lamps were used for many spiritual rituals. The oil lamp and its light also became important ritualistic articles with

3686-482: The Holy Table (altar) and to illuminate icons on the iconostasis and around the temple (church building). Orthodox Christians will also use oil lamps in their homes to illuminate their icon corner . Traditionally, the sanctuary lamp in an Orthodox church is an oil lamp. It is lit by the bishop when the church is consecrated , and ideally it should burn perpetually thereafter. The oil burned in all of these lamps

3783-463: The Inuit , Yupik and other Inuit peoples. The lamps were made of stone and their sizes and shapes of lamps could be different, but mostly were elliptical or half-moon shaped. The wicks were mostly made of dried moss or cottongrass and were lit along the edge of the lamp. A slab of seal blubber could be left to melt over the lamp feeding it with more fat. Persian lamps were large, with thin sides and

3880-523: The Iron Age , lamp rims become wider and flatter, with a deeper and higher spout. The tip of the spout is more upright in contrast to the rest of the rim. The lamps are becoming variable in shape and distribution, although some remain similar to lamps from the Late Bronze period. In addition, other forms evolve, such as small lamps with a flat base and larger lamps with a round base. The later form continues into

3977-491: The Iron Age II . In the later Iron Age, variant forms appear. One common type is small, with a wide rim and a wide base. Another type is a small, shallow bowl with a thick and high discus base. The qulliq (seal-oil lamp) provided warmth and light in the harsh Arctic environment where there was no wood and where the sparse population relied almost entirely on seal oil. This lamp was the most important article of furniture for

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4074-679: The Jubilee line , which was rerouted to Westminster in 1999. Other nearby tube stations are Embankment connecting the District , Circle , Northern and Bakerloo lines, and Leicester Square on the Northern and Piccadilly lines. London bus routes 3 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 15 , 23 , 24 , 29 , 53 , 87 , 88 , 91 , 139 , 159 , 176 , 453 are only some among the bus routes that pass through Trafalgar Square. A point in Trafalgar Square

4171-557: The King's Mews , running north from the T-junction in the south, Charing Cross , where the Strand from the City meets Whitehall coming north from Westminster . From the reign of Richard II to that of Henry VII , the mews was at the western end of the Strand. The name "Royal Mews" comes from the practice of keeping hawks here for moulting ; "mew" is an old word for this. After a fire in 1534,

4268-544: The North Sea to the Port of Felixstowe , then by road to Trafalgar Square. The first tree was 48 feet (15 m) tall, but more recently has been around 75 feet (23 m). In 1987, protesters chained themselves to the tree. In 1990, a man sawed into the tree with a chainsaw a few hours before a New Year's Eve party was scheduled to take place. He was arrested and the tree was repaired by tree surgeons who removed gouged sections from

4365-469: The Register of Historic Parks and Gardens since 1996. The square was the target of two suffragette bombings in 1913 and 1914. This was as part of the suffragette bombing and arson campaign of 1912–1914, in which suffragettes carried out a series of politically-motivated bombing and arson attacks nationwide as part of their campaign for women's suffrage . The first attack occurred on 15 May 1913. A bomb

4462-467: The Warring States period (481–221 BC). The ancient Chinese created oil lamps with a refillable reservoir and a fibrous wick, giving the lamp a controlled flame. Lamps were constructed from jade , bronze, ceramic, wood, stone, and other materials. The largest oil lamp excavated so far is one discovered in a 4th-century tomb located in modern Pingshan, Hebei. Production of oil lamps shifted to Italy as

4559-521: The kerosene lamp comes from 9th-century Baghdad by al-Razi (Rhazes). He referred to it as the Arabic : naffatah in his Kitab al-Asrar ('Book of Secrets'). In the transition period, some lamps had Arabic writing. Writing later disappears until the Mamluk period (13th to 15th century AD). Oil burning carriage lamps provided a model for the first bicycle lamps in the 1860s. In Vedic times , fire

4656-590: The French and Spanish in 1805 during the Napoleonic Wars . After the clearance, development progressed slowly. The National Gallery was built on the north side between 1832 and 1838 to a design by William Wilkins , and in 1837 the Treasury approved Wilkins' plan for the laying out of the square, but it was not put into effect. In April 1840, following Wilkins' death, new plans by Charles Barry were accepted, and construction started within weeks. For Barry, as for Wilkins,

4753-686: The Greater London Authority in conjunction with the charity Unicef , who began ticketing the event to control crowd numbers. The fireworks display has been cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic , with an event due to take place in the Square to see in 2022. However the event was cancelled during the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant . A Christmas ceremony has been held in the square every year since 1947. A Norway spruce (or sometimes

4850-464: The Victorian era. The desirability of the birds' presence was contentious: their droppings disfigured the stonework and the flock, estimated at its peak to be 35,000, was considered a health hazard . A stall seller, Bernie Rayner, infamously sold bird seed to tourists at inflated prices. In February 2001, the sale of bird seed in the square was stopped and other measures were introduced to discourage

4947-410: The air. A LED lighting system that can project different combinations of colours on to the fountains was installed to reduce the cost of lighting maintenance and to coincide with the 2012 Summer Olympics . The square was once famous for feral pigeons and feeding them was a popular activity. Pigeons began flocking to the square before construction was completed and feed sellers became well known in

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5044-484: The base of Nelson's Column for some years and some of its upper scaffolding remained in place. Landseer, the sculptor, had asked for a lion that had died at the London Zoo to be brought to his studio. He took so long to complete sketches that its corpse began to decompose and some parts had to be improvised. The statues have paws that resemble cats more than lions. Barry was unhappy about Nelson's Column being placed in

5141-604: The base, each holding a lamp. The Deepalakshmi is another common design, where the goddess Lakshmi holds the lamp in her hands. Kuthuvilakku is another typical lamp traditionally used for household purposes in South India. Oil lamps also were included in proverbs . For example, a Bradj (pre-Hindi) proverb says, " Chiraag tale andhera ", 'the [utmost] darkness is under the oil-lamp ( chiraag )', meaning that what you seek could be close but unnoticed (right under your nose or feet), in various senses (a lamp's container casts

5238-423: The burner, and then […] to bring fresh atmospheric air to the proper points of the flame'. The chemical changes brought about by this precision mechanical arrangement achieved 'an effulgence adequate to every purpose of internal and external illumination'. Self-regulating Atmospheric Bude-Lamps (enclosed in airtight glass containers, with eduction tubes to remove the fumes and heat) were soon successfully installed in

5335-507: The churchyard of St Martin-in-the-Fields . The Charing Cross Act was passed in 1826 and clearance started soon after. Nash died soon after construction started, impeding its progress. The square was to be named after William IV commemorating his ascent to the throne in 1830. Around 1835, it was decided that the square would be named after the Battle of Trafalgar as suggested by architect George Ledwell Taylor , commemorating Nelson's victory over

5432-556: The city and country. Every year on the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar ( 21 October ), the Sea Cadet Corps holds a parade in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson and the British victory over the combined fleets of Spain and France at Trafalgar. The Royal British Legion holds a Silence in the Square event on Armistice Day , 11 November, in remembrance of those who died in war. The event includes music and poetry readings, culminating in

5529-413: The culmination of the first Aldermaston March , anti-war protests, and campaigns against climate change . A Christmas tree has been donated to the square by Norway since 1947 and is erected for twelve days before and after Christmas Day. The square is a centre of annual celebrations on New Year's Eve . It was well known for its feral pigeons until their removal in the early 21st century. The square

5626-524: The entire building. His Bude-Light system stayed in use in the Houses of Parliament for over 50 years. Four Bude Lights, with octagonal glass lanterns, were installed in Trafalgar Square in London in around 1845. They were at some point converted to electricity, and are still in use. Two, across from the National Gallery , are on tall cast bronze columns, and two, in the south-west and south-east corners of

5723-653: The further development of Jewish culture and religion. The Temple Menorah , a ritual seven-branched oil lamp used in the Second Temple , forms the centre of the Chanukah story. There are several references to oil lamps in the New Testament . In the Eastern Orthodox Church , Roman Catholic Church , and Eastern Catholic Churches oil lamps ( Greek : kandili , Church Slavonic : lampada ) are still used both on

5820-473: The household stand behind the bride and groom, holding an oil lamp to ward off evil. The presence of an oil lamp is an important aspect of ritual worship (the Shodashopachar Puja ) offered to a deity. Moreover, a day is kept aside for the worship of the lamp in the busy festival calendar, on one amavasya (moonless) day in the month of Shravan . This reverence for the deep is based on the symbolism of

5917-421: The journey from darkness and ignorance to light and the knowledge of the ultimate reality – " tamaso ma jyotirgamaya ". Earlier lamps were made out of stone or seashells. The shape was like a circular bowl with a protruding beak. Later, they were replaced by earthen and metal lamps. In the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata , there are references to gold and silver lamps as well. The simple shape evolved and

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6014-479: The lamps were created in the shapes of the matsya ('fish'), kurma ('tortoise') and other incarnations of god Vishnu . Lamps were also created in the shape of the many emblems of gods, like conch shells or lotuses . Birds such as swans, peacocks, or parrots, and animals like snakes, lions, elephants and horses were also favorites when decorating a lamp. For lighting multiple lamps, wooden and stone deepastambhas ('towers of light') were created. Erecting

6111-473: The latter continued in use well into the 20th century, until such areas were finally electrified and light bulbs could be used. Sources of fuel for oil lamps include a wide variety of plants such as nuts ( walnuts , almonds and kukui ) and seeds ( sesame , olive , castor , or flax ). Also widely used were animal fats (butter, ghee , fish oil, shark liver , whale blubber , or seal ). Camphine , made of purified spirits of turpentine , and burning fluid,

6208-444: The local paving board, Barry agreed that two fountains should be installed to counteract the effects of reflected heat and glare from the asphalt surface. The First Commissioner of Woods and Forests welcomed the plan because the fountains reduced the open space available for public gatherings and reduced the risk of riotous assembly. The fountains were fed from two wells, one in front of the National Gallery and one behind it connected by

6305-492: The main level. Wilkins had proposed a similar solution with a central flight of steps. All the stonework was of Aberdeen granite . In 1845, four Bude-Lights with octagonal glass lanterns were installed. Two, opposite the National Gallery, are on tall bronze columns, and two, in the south-west and south-east corners of the square, on shorter bronze columns on top of wider granite columns. They were designed by Barry and manufactured by Stevens and Son, of Southwark . In 1841 it

6402-441: The main shrine may contain several. Usually only one wick is lit, with all five burning only on festive occasions. The oil lamp is used in the Hindu ritual of Aarti . In the home shrine, the style of lamp is usually different, containing only one wick. There is usually a piece of metal that forms the back of the lamp, which has a picture of a Hindu deity embossed on it. In many houses, the lamp burns all day, but in other homes, it

6499-493: The main source of supply in the Early Roman era. Molds began to be used, and lamps were produced in large scale in factories. All lamps are closed in type. The lamp is produced in two parts, the upper part with the spout and the lower part with the fuel chamber. Most are of the characteristic "Imperial Type"—round, with nozzles of different forms (volute, semi-volute, U-shaped), a closed body, a central disk decorated with reliefs and

6596-660: The mews were rebuilt as stables, and remained here until George IV moved them to Buckingham Palace . After 1732, the King's Mews were divided into the Great Mews and the smaller Green Mews to the north by the Crown Stables, a large block, built to the designs of William Kent . Its site is occupied by the National Gallery. In 1826 the Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues instructed John Nash to draw up plans for clearing

6693-562: The most notable ones were Mediterranean sigillata (“African”) lamps. The motifs were largely geometric, vegetative and graphic (monograms), with figural depiction of animals and human figures, often Christ. Those depicting Christ or the Chi Rho often categorized as Hayes Type II. Oil lanterns of the Byzantine were slipper-shaped and highly decorative. The multiple-nozzle design continued and most lamps bore handles. Some have complex exteriors. There

6790-429: The need for maintaining a wick, he explored using coal gas in place of oil. He purified the gas, and impregnated it with vapours of naphtha , turpentine and India rubber ; this was then fed through a set of concentric burners designed 'to communicate by conduction and radiation sufficient heat to raise the temperature of the gas to a given point, so as to effect the separation of its charcoal immediately on its leaving

6887-535: The north wall of the square. Those of John Jellicoe, 1st Earl Jellicoe (by Sir Charles Wheeler ) and David Beatty, 1st Earl Beatty (by William MacMillan ) were installed in 1948 in conjunction with the square's fountains, which also commemorate them. The third, of the Second World War First Sea Lord Andrew Cunningham, 1st Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope (by Franta Belsky ) was unveiled alongside them on 2 April 1967. On

6984-594: The northern retaining wall when the project was completed after the Second World War. The fountains cost almost £50,000. The original centrepieces were presented to the Canadian government and are now located in Ottawa 's Confederation Park and Regina 's Wascana Centre . A programme of restoration was completed by May 2009 . The pump system was replaced with one capable of sending an 80-foot (24 m) jet of water into

7081-526: The occupation. In March 2011, the square was occupied by a crowd protesting against the UK Budget and proposed budget cuts. During the night the situation turned violent as the escalation by riot police and protesters damaged portions of the square. In November 2015 a vigil against the terrorist attacks in Paris was held. Crowds sang the French national anthem , La Marseillaise , and held banners in support of

7178-486: The oil flame burned incredibly brightly and an intense, white light was produced from the weak yellow flame of the oil lamp. In 1838, Gurney reported the results of his initial tests to Michael Faraday , who recommended the proposal to Trinity House for possible use in lighthouses. It was trialled on an experimental basis in Orford Low Lighthouse in 1839, where its flame was observed to be 2.5 times as powerful as

7275-446: The other plinths remained empty until late in the 20th century. There are two other statues on plinths, both installed during the 19th century: General Sir Charles James Napier by George Cannon Adams in the south-west corner in 1855, and Major-General Sir Henry Havelock by William Behnes in the south-east in 1861. In 2000, the Mayor of London , Ken Livingstone , suggested replacing

7372-422: The pigeons including the use of birds of prey . Supporters continued to feed the birds but in 2003 the mayor , Ken Livingstone , enacted bylaws to ban feeding them in the square. In September 2007 Westminster City Council passed further bylaws banning feeding birds on the pedestrianised North Terrace and other pavements in the area. Nelson's column was repaired from years of damage from pigeon droppings at

7469-526: The pinch is shallow, while later on it becomes more prominent and the mouth protrudes from the lamp's body. The bases are simple and flat. The crude potter's wheel is introduced, transforming the handmade bowls to a more uniform container. The saucer style evolves into a single spout shape. A more pronounced, deeper single spout is developed, and it is almost closed on the sides. The shape is evolving to be more triangular, deeper and larger. All lamps are now wheel-made, with simple and usually flat bases. During

7566-480: The public. Construction went ahead beginning in 1840 but with the height reduced to 145 feet 3 inches (44.27 m). The column was completed and the statue raised in November 1843. The last of the bronze reliefs on the column's pedestals was not completed until May 1854, and the four lions, although part of the original design, were only added in 1867. Each lion weighs seven tons. A hoarding remained around

7663-538: The rebuilt Palace of Westminster was instead divided (for an experimental period) between arch-rivals Sir Charles Barry and Dr David Reid ; both their systems proved unsatisfactory, however, and in 1853 Gurney's system was installed. Its effectiveness was proved, to the satisfaction of both the Lords and the Commons, and the following year Gurney was placed in sole charge, not only of the lighting but also of heating and ventilating

7760-694: The shape of the rim, the general shape of the bowl and the shape of the base. A design with four spouts for wicks appeared in the Intermediate Bronze Age (2300-2000 BC). Lamps are made from large bowls with flattened bases for stability, and four equally spaced shallow pinches in the rim for wicks, although some lamps with only a single pinch have also been found. The four-spout design evolved to provide sufficient light when fueled with fish or animal oils, which burn less efficiently than olive oil. The four-wick oil lamps persist into this period. However, most lamps now have only one wick. Early in this period

7857-408: The south side of Trafalgar Square, on the site of the original Charing Cross, is a bronze equestrian statue of Charles I by Hubert Le Sueur . It was cast in 1633, and placed in its present position in 1678. The two statues on the lawn in front of the National Gallery are the statue of James II (designed by Peter van Dievoet and Laurens van der Meulen for the studio of Grinling Gibbons ) to

7954-467: The square and the gallery had been by two crossings at the northeast and northwest corners. Barry's scheme provided two plinths for sculptures on the north side of the square. A bronze equestrian statue of George IV was designed by Sir Francis Chantrey and Thomas Earle . It was originally intended to be placed on top of the Marble Arch , but instead was installed on the eastern plinth in 1843, while

8051-587: The square on 13 November 1887. The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament 's first Aldermaston March , protesting against the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), began in the square in 1958. One of the first significant demonstrations of the modern era was held in the square on 19 September 1961 by the Committee of 100 , which included the philosopher Bertrand Russell . The protesters rallied for peace and against war and nuclear weapons. In March 1968,

8148-531: The square, on short cast bronze columns on top of wider granite columns. They were made by Messrs. Stevens and Son, of the Darlington Works, Southwark , to designs by Charles Barry. In the small seaside resort town of Bude a commemorative installation, also referred to as the Bude Light, was erected to mark the millennium and remember Sir Goldsworthy Gurney. Designed by Carole Vincent and Anthony Fanshawe, it

8245-564: The square. In July 1840, when its foundations had been laid, he told a parliamentary select committee that "it would in my opinion be desirable that the area should be wholly free from all insulated objects of art". In 1940 the Nazi SS developed secret plans to transfer Nelson's Column to Berlin after an expected German invasion , as related by Norman Longmate in If Britain Had Fallen (1972). The square has been Grade I listed on

8342-580: The statues with figures more familiar to the general public. In the 21st century, the empty plinth in the north-west corner of the square, the "Fourth Plinth", has been used to show specially commissioned temporary artworks. The scheme was initiated by the Royal Society of Arts and continued by the Fourth Plinth Commission, appointed by the Mayor of London. There are three busts of admirals against

8439-514: The suffragettes. Churches were a particular target during the campaign, as it was believed that the Church of England was complicit in reinforcing opposition to women's suffrage. Between 1913 and 1914, 32 churches were attacked nationwide. In the weeks after the bombing, there were also attacks on Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral . A major 18-month redevelopment of the square led by W.S. Atkins with Foster and Partners as sub-consultants

8536-547: The temporary Commons chamber (and operated 'at a cost of only twelve shillings per night, whereas that of the candles previously used there amounted to six pounds eleven shillings per night'); and indeed their use was promptly extended to the parliamentary libraries, lobbies and one of the committee rooms. Gurney went on to market the lamps for use in churches, public buildings, private residences and shops. Despite his pioneering work in Parliament, however, responsibility for lighting

8633-494: The top of the column is a statue of Horatio Nelson , who commanded the British Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar . Surrounding the square are the National Gallery on the north side and St Martin-in-the-Fields Church to the east. Also on the east is South Africa House , and facing it across the square is Canada House . To the south west is The Mall , which leads towards Buckingham Palace via Admiralty Arch , while Whitehall

8730-421: The trunk while the tree was suspended from a crane. The square has become a social and political focus for visitors and Londoners, developing over its history from "an esplanade peopled with figures of national heroes, into the country's foremost place politique ", as historian Rodney Mace has written. Since its construction, it has been a venue for political demonstrations. The great Chartist rally in 1848,

8827-528: The west of the portico, and of one George Washington , a replica of a work by Jean-Antoine Houdon , to the east. The latter was a gift from the Commonwealth of Virginia , installed in 1921. Two statues erected in the 19th century have since been removed. One of Edward Jenner , pioneer of the smallpox vaccine , was set up in the south-west corner of the square in 1858, next to that of Napier. Sculpted by William Calder Marshall , it showed Jenner sitting in

8924-638: The west'). Trafalgar Square is owned by the King in Right of the Crown and managed by the Greater London Authority , while Westminster City Council owns the roads around the square, including the pedestrianised area of the North Terrace. The square contains a large central area with roadways on three sides and a terrace to the north, in front of the National Gallery. The roads around the square form part of

9021-414: Was completed in 2003. The work involved closing the eastbound road along the north side and diverting traffic around the other three sides of the square, demolishing the central section of the northern retaining wall and inserting a wide set of steps to the pedestrianised terrace in front of the National Gallery. The construction includes two lifts for disabled access, public toilets and a café. Access between

9118-415: Was decided that two fountains should be included in the layout. The estimated budget, excluding paving and sculptures, was £11,000. The earth removed was used to level Green Park . The square was originally surfaced with tarmacadam , which was replaced with stone in the 1920s. Trafalgar Square was opened to the public on 1 May 1844. Nelson's Column was planned independently of Barry's work. In 1838

9215-413: Was kept alive in every household in some form and carried with oneself while migrating to new locations. Later, the presence of fire in the household or a religious building was ensured by an oil lamp. Over the years various rituals and customs were woven around an oil lamp. For Deep Daan , the gift of a lamp was and still is believed to be the best daan ('donation'). During marriages, spinsters of

9312-447: Was planted in the public area outside the National Gallery, but failed to explode. A second attack occurred at St Martin-in-the-Fields church at the north-east corner of the square one 4 April 1914. A bomb exploded inside the church, blowing out the windows and showering passers-by with broken glass. The bomb then started a fire. In the aftermath, a mass of people rushed to the scene, many of whom aggressively expressed their anger towards

9409-539: Was trialled in the temporary Chamber of the House of Commons (at the time the Chamber was unsatisfactorily lit by large numbers of 15-inch candles, earlier experiments with both Argand lamps and gas lighting having thus far failed). Gurney had claimed (and already demonstrated) that his Bude-Lamp would cost the same to manufacture as a similarly-sized Argand lamp, and yet would produce a light more than twice as powerful while burning

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