Florence Nightingale writing lamp to go under the hammer

Florence Nightingale, centre, in a group at St Thomas Hospital, London Credit: Tophams/Topham Picturepoint/Press Association Images

Florence Nightingale's lamp is due to go under the hammer 150 years after the health care pioneer used it.

The rare brass lamp would have stood on nurse Nightingale's writing desk rather than being the famous hand lamp she carried while tending the injured soldiers in the Crimean War.

The lamp will go on sale in June. Credit: Mark Laban/ Hanson Auctioneers

Auctioneer Charles Hanson said it was a "remarkable" find, originating from the family home in Derbyshire.

"If only it could talk, it could tell us so much about the passion Florence had for her work and the well-being of others," he said.

Nurse Florence Nightingale's diary written 150 years ago. Credit: Martyn Hayhow/PA Archive

He added that the unadorned 10in-tall (25cm) lamp had "wonderful provenance" and could be traced to two sisters who had been in service to Nightingale at Lea Hurst in the 1850s.

The lamp will go on sale in June. Credit: Mark Laban/ Hanson Auctioneers/ PA/PA Archive

When the Nightingale family left Lea Hurst, the sisters were given the lamp and told "to take best care of it", which is how it came to be with the current owner, who is now offering it for auction.

Mr Hanson said he expected the lamp to garner worldwide interest, but hoped it would stay in the UK and perhaps even Derbyshire.

Asked about what it might fetch at auction, he added: "Such an iconic object and its association with such a leading lady will be guided at £1,000-£2,000.

The lamp is available to view on Thursday June 25, before going under the hammer at the auction house in Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire, the following day.