Peter Derr (1793-1868) worked in Berks County as a brazier, coppersmith and founder. His father, Johannes Derr, was a pewterer and was known to have collaborated frequently with with Johann Christian Heyne. Derr's first known masterpiece, the Staff of David gallow's lamp, was completed in 1818 when Derr was twenty-five. Perhaps most commonly know of Derr's lighting devices are his wrought iron, copper and brass (and combinations thereof) fat, or "betty" lamps. Among the last items he is known to have made are pewter topped canteens, knives and needles for the Berks County Regiment during the Civil War. For several years, Derr was also involved with the foundry Haag, Kline & Company. See also lot 61.

For a similar fat lamp, see Spears, p. 77, pl. 29.