Bascule light

A bascule light or tipping lantern (Danish: Vippefyr) was a type of small navigational aid popular in Denmark in the 18th century and before.

In 1560 Frederick II of Denmark ordered the erection of beacons at Skagen, Anholt and Kullen Lighthouse to mark the main route through Danish waters from the North Sea to the Baltic.

[1] The current vippefyr at Skagen is a reproduction of the original, which dates back to 1626, preceding Frederick's decree.

[2] The lighthouse was originally built and funded by the Danish state with the proceeds of the Sound Dues for the use of the "Øresund", which King Eric of Pomerania introduced in 1429 and which remained in effect until 1857.

For instance, in 1705 the Danish postal service established a bascule light on the island of Bågø in the Little Belt on the mail route Assens-Årøsund.