Object number
54/57
Collection
Description
This rushlight and candle holder probably came from mid-Kent. It consists of a solid wood turned base, and a wrought iron stem ending in one pair of jaws. The other jaw is moveable and curves round to a candle holder. 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.
Physical description
1 rushlight and candle holder: wooden base; wrought iron stem; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘ This rushlight and candle holder probably came from mid-Kent. It consists of a solid wooden turned base, a wrought iron stem ending in one of a pair of jaws. The other jaw is moveable and curves round to a candle holder. The iron work is quite plain. // The holder is 11.5 inches in height. // See also 51/1184. //
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