Object number
56/161
Description
A candle and rushlight holder. Missing base. Rushlights were common after 1709 with the introduction of a tax on candles.
This is an iron candle and rushlight holder. It would have previously stood on a base, which is now missing. The iron of the candle socket is also partly worn away. The museum holds little information about the origins of this candle and rushlight 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 rush and candle holder: metal [iron]; poor conditon
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘… // DATE ACQUIRED: // GROUP: // NEGATIVE: // PERIOD: // PLACE OF ORIGIN: // NUMBER: // DESCRIPTION: …‘Nothing is known of the origin of this iron rushlight and candle holder. The total length is 10 inches. The base is missing, and the iron of the candle socket partly worn away.'
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Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\60 series negatives\60_1493.tif - High resolution image
