$350.00 USD
Discover this rare survivor from early American or English hearths: a hand-forged wrought iron combination rushlight/splint and candle holder, circa 1770-1830. Crafted by a colonial blacksmith, this primitive lighting tool features forked jaws for gripping fat-dipped rushes or wooden splints, and a stabilizing ring base for tallow candles. Measuring 6 inches long, 19 inches tall, it's heavy (2 lb) with authentic hammer marks and a rich rust patina that tells tales of nightly use.
Perfect for collectors of folk art, early lighting, or rustic décor—imagine it on a mantel evoking candlelit evenings. In good antique condition: stable, no breaks, but with expected oxidation (lightly oiled for preservation). No provenance but stylistically matches museum examples.
- Physical Details: Approximately 19 inches tall and weighing just under 2 lbs, it is heavy and balanced for handling. The width is ~5.75 inches wide, the ring ~5.75 inches in diameter. Surface shows advanced oxidation (rust) with some pitting, but no major breaks or welds.
- Condition: Good antique condition for its age—stable but with expected wear. Rust is surface-level and adds to the patina; no active corrosion evident. Minor dings from use, but functional if restored lightly.
- Estimated Age: Late 18th to early 19th century (circa 1770-1830). This dating is based on stylistic matches to surviving examples from colonial America or early European rural households, where such holders were common until the 1840s. The hand-forged technique and simple, functional design align with pre-Victorian blacksmith work; earlier 18th-century pieces (pre-1750) often have more refined "Alpine" curls, which this lacks.
- Origin: Likely English or American colonial (New England or Mid-Atlantic states), with possible French influences given similar designs in rural Europe. Wrought iron was abundant in these regions due to local forges. Not Asian or modern— the metallurgy (visible fibrous grain in iron) and proportions match Western examples from museum collections like those at Colonial Williamsburg or the Victoria & Albert Museum.
- Usage and Historical Context: These holders were everyday tools in farmhouses, workshops, or cottages for low-cost lighting. The fork end clamped rushes or splints vertically to burn slowly (a rushlight lasted ~30 minutes), while the ring supported a beeswax or tallow candle for brighter, longer light. Users would light the end over a fire, then insert it into the holder. They embody "primitive" Americana or English art, valued today for their role in early domestic history and as decor in rustic or period homes.
Note: Sold for display purposes only; not food-safe or intended for active use. Handle with care to avoid further flaking. Shows honest age-related rust; unpolished for authenticity.
Serious inquiries welcome—happy to provide more photos or shipping quotes worldwide.
Item dimensions: 19 in tall × 5.75 in wide × 5.75 in deep
Weight of item only: 1 lb 15 oz
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