top of page

Rush lights the poor mans candle.....?

  • Writer: Opus Antiques UK
    Opus Antiques UK
  • Dec 2, 2011
  • 2 min read

What are rush lights is a frequent question that I get asked so here's a simple explanation. They were quite simply a method of lighting that pre- dates the candle and in all probability would have died out in the early 1700's if it hadn't been for a very unpopular candle tax placed on candle wax in 1709,taxes were as unpopular 300 years ago as they are now!!!! Rush lights were exempt from this tax, this meant they were continued to be used by a large number of householders because the tax made candles too expensive for many. Rush lights were devices for holding the rush which had previously been dipped in animal fat before being lighting it. The outer skin of the rushes would be stripped off and then the pith dipped in melted animal fat usually. The rushes were then allowed to harden before burning them. Rushes were burnt at an angle of about 45 degrees held by an iron clip/jaw if the rush was held too vertically it had a dimmer flame and too horizontally it would burn too quickly. They must have smelt really bad. Rushes could be lit at both ends to extra light which is where the saying 'burning the candle at both ends' comes from. A rush of approximately 6 inches would burn for about 20 minutes. There are many variations of rush lights which are usually iron, some were fitted on to a wooden base which in itself can vary from a piece of drift wood, painted or beautifully turned from yew wood,others were on a tripod iron base. Many have candle sockets, the iron work can be plain or twisted, counter weights and the jaw vary as well.They can be table standing or less commonly floor standing. Scotland have their own variant of rushlight called a Peerman but that's another story........... They are difficult to find particularly with their correct wooden base but have fun looking. Although rushlights were described as the poor mans candle today times have changed these rushlights can be hundreds if not thousands of pounds.

 
 
 

Comments


Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Search By Tags
Archive
OPUS ANTIQUES
 
We first became involved in Antique Treen and furniture some twenty five years ago and since then a passion for Treen, small wooden snuff boxes and decorative wooden items has developed into Opus Antiques.


This web site shows only a  small selection of our current stock for sale, if you are looking for something you don't see, please contact us.

 

We are also interested in buying Antique Treen items. As well as using our Contact page, you can also email or telephone us on 07941 285532

To unsubscribe to any Email newsletters please contact us to remove your information.

ANTIQUE TREEN

The word Treen is derived from the word tree and is a term used to describe wooden household objects, all turned from one piece of wood e.g. a bowl, plate, gingerbread mould, and spoons, always having a function.

Nowadays when we talk about Antique Treen it tends to cover all small wooden items including antique snuff boxes, candle stands, spice towers, etc. often made from several pieces of turned wood.

 

When a piece of wood has been painstakingly turned or carved, handled, polished and loved over a few hundred years old, it can develop a wonderful colour and patina and becomes an irresistible piece of Antique Treen.

  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Screenshot 2023-03-26 at 15.17.09.png
Screenshot 2023-03-26 at 15.17.09.png

Address: Devon      Contact Telephone: 07941 285532       Email:opusantiques@hotmail.co.uk

bottom of page