Holder, rushlight

This rushlight holder is made of wrought iron with a wooden base. The jaws are counterweighted to grip the rushlight. It dates from the eighteenth century and has the initials 'J.W.' burnt onto the base. 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 le…