54/18

This rushlight and candle holder originally came from Sussex, and is thought to have been made in the 18th century.
This rushlight and candle holder originally came from Sussex, and is thought to have been made in the 18th century. It is made of wrought iron, with a solid round wooden base. It was formerly part of the collections at the Victoria & Albert Museum. 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.

1 rushlight/candle holder: metal (wrought iron); wood

1700-01-01 - 1799-12-31

Eighteenth century

Holder, candle, Holder, rushlight

Wood, Metal, iron