51/1183

Pinelight holder from Austria. Pinelights were used as an alternative to rushlights in the northern counties of England and in Scotland.
This pinelight holder is made of metal and comes from Austria. Splits of firwood were held vertically between the two upright arms, which act as a spring. Pinelights were used as an alternative to rushlights in the northern counties of England and in Scotland.

1 pinelight holder: metal

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'In the Northern Counties of England and Scotland the use of Pinelights was more common than the use of rushlights. In making the lights splits of fir wood were used and if new they were first dipped in melted resin to make them burn better. This pinelight holder comes from Austria. It is intended for use on a pole but the pole is missing. The splits of fir wood were inserted in a vertical position between the two upright arms which act as a spring. The top cross arm was presumable to steady the split. // It measures 8 inches in height. // See also, Rushlight holder 51/1184.', Victoria & Albert Museum No. M130, 1913.

Austria