Rushlight and Candle Holder

Public Domain

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CultureAmerican or English

Titles

Rushlight and Candle Holder

Date18th century

Possible placeEngland

Possible placeUnited States

MediumIron

Dimensions9 3/8 in. (23.8 cm)

Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, gift of Miss Ima Hogg

Object numberB.69.7

Current Location

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Maple Bedroom

On view

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Department

Bayou Bend

Object Type

METALWORK

DescriptionCandles burned more cleanly and produced a stronger light, but were costly. A cheap way to light rooms, rushlights were made from the stems of rushes soaked in animal fat and then dried. The rushlight holder was usually mounted on an iron tripod, like this one, and metal clips at a 45-degree angle held the rushlight so it burned brighter.
ProvenanceDorothy Dawes Chillman, Houston; given to Miss Ima Hogg; given to MFAH, 1969.
Exhibition History[The Voyage of Life], Houston Public Library, Houston TX, Jesse Jones (Central) Branch, February 1–27, 1994; Tuttle Branch, March 1–27, 1994; Heights Branch, March 29–April 24, 1994; Robinson-Westchase Branch, April 26–May 22, 1994; Smith Branch, May 24–June 19, 1994.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks

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Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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