Not currently on display at the V&A

Rush-Holder and Candlestick

18th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Wrought iron standing rush-holder and candlestick on a tripod base.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Wrought iron
Brief description
Standing rush-holder and candlestick, wrought iron on a tripod base, made in England, 18th century
Physical description
Wrought iron standing rush-holder and candlestick on a tripod base.
Dimensions
  • Height: 120cm
  • Width: 32cm
  • Depth: 32cm
H. 3' 11" (from original registered description)
Gallery label
STANDING RUSH-HOLDER and CANDLESTICK Wrought iron England: 18th century Rushlights appeared in England in the mid 17th century when taxes forbidding the home manufacture of wax candles were introduced. They were made by dipping soaked, peeled and dried bullrush stalks into beeswax or animal fat skimmed from the surface of the contents of the cooking pot. According to contemporary accounts, rushlights gave a good, clear light and a70 cm rush would burn for about one hour. They were too slender to stand unsupported in a candle socket so the rush-holder was designed, consisting of a pair of 'nippers' to keep the rush tightly clamped by a spring or weighted lever. Sometimes, as here, it also incorporated a candlestick. From the Collection of Lady Dorothy Nevill Museum No. M.125-1914(07/1994)
Credit line
Given by Lady Dorothy Nevill
Bibliographic references
  • Bishop, A. 18th Century Cottage Lighting. Antique Collecting. 1980. pp.36-39.
  • Hughes, G.B. English Rushlight-Holders. Country Life. Jan.12th 1951. pp.106-107.
  • Caspall, John. Fire and Light in the home pre 1820. Woodbridge, Suffolk : Antique Collectors' Club, 1995, originally published 1987. 278 p., ill. ISBN 1851490213.
Collection
Accession number
M.125-1914

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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