[nb-NO]Object number[nb-NO]
51/1233
[nb-NO]Description[nb-NO]
This wrought iron holder has no base but has a tapered stem bent at a right angle that would be driven into the wall like a bracket light. It was used as both a candle holder and a rushlight holder. It dates from the eighteenth century. Rushlights became extremely common after 1709 with the introduction of a tax on candles, which lasted until 1831. Rushes were peeled and the pith was weathered and immersed in hot bacon fat and left to dry, before being burned.
[nb-NO]Physical description[nb-NO]
1 rushlight bracket: metal [wrought iron]; good condition
[nb-NO]Archival history[nb-NO]
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This rushlight and candle holder is made of wrought iron. There is no base but the main stem is bent in a right angle and tapered so that it can be driven into a wall. It was therefore used as a bracket light. It is 5.5 inches high. // See also 51/1184, 51/1177', Victoria & Albert Museum No. M381, 1924.
[nb-NO]Date[nb-NO]
1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31
[nb-NO]Production period[nb-NO]
Eighteenth century
[nb-NO]Object name[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]Material[nb-NO]
[nb-NO]External document[nb-NO]
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_4006.tif - High resolution image
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_729.tif - High resolution image
