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ID #SA1126015
FOR SALE
£1,250
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Rare Cruciform Base Rushnip/ Rush Light Holder
Martin Murray Antiques
for sale €1,463     $1,588
£1,250
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2024
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    Specialist in early furniture and works of art
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Id #SA1126015
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Rare Cruciform Base Rushnip/ Rush Light Holder

18th century
Description

An extremely rare rush light and candle holder with its original fruitwood cruciform base with brass ferule. superb surface, one of the finest examples I have seen.

Welsh 1780 - 1820

Physical Dimensions
Height
22cm (8.66")
Declaration

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this Antique Iron Rushlight Holder to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1126015
Dealers Internal Reference
mm65
Dealers Notes

For further details of any item or for a reliable shipping quote please get in touch. Shipping on items that can be posted is included in the UK

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Description
An extremely rare rush light and candle holder with its original fruitwood cruciform base with brass ferule. superb surface, one of the finest examples I have seen.

Welsh 1780 - 1820

Height
22cm (8.66")
Date of Manufacture

Martin Murray Antiques has dated this Antique Iron Rushlight Holder to the 18th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1126015
Dealers Internal Ref
mm65
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2024

Specialist in early furniture and works of art

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Martin Murray Antiques Profile Page

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A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer.
1 / 4
Archive I A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer.

Rare Cruciform Base Rushnip/ Rush Light Holder

Archive II A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer. View II
Archive III A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer. View III
Archive IV A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer. View IV
Enlarged Archival View
Martin Murray Antiques

Martin Murray Antiques
Telephone 07970 625359
Location
Near Eye
Suffolk
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified Since Dec 2024
Items For Sale 52
Items Sold 76
Martin Murray Antiques
Martin Murray Antiques
Verified Since Dec 2024
View Dealer Info
Location: Near Eye, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/mmant
Verified
Dec 2024
For Sale
52
Sold
76
A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer.
Rare cruciform base rushnip/ rush light holder
Ref: SA1126015
A hand-forged wrought iron rushlight holder featuring a combined candle socket, secured into a dark carved cruciform wooden base with a brass washer.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Archival Detail

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FAQs

A rushlight holder, or rushnip, is an early domestic lighting device designed to hold dried meadow rushes soaked in fat or tallow. Popular from the medieval period through the 18th century, these hand-forged implements used a spring-loaded or counterbalanced arm to secure the burning rush.

Traditional rushlight holders were crafted by local blacksmiths using hand-forged wrought iron for the pincers and arms. The iron mechanism was typically set into a carved or turned wooden base made from dense local hardwoods such as oak, fruitwood, or elm, sometimes fitted with a brass collar.

Authentic period rushlight holders exhibit hand-forged irregularities, visible hammer marks, and asymmetrical features characteristic of blacksmith work. Look for natural wear on the wooden base, deep patination or mild oxidisation on the metal, and hand-cut joinery rather than modern machine fittings.

A rushlight holder functions as a sculptural historical accent on a mantelpiece, side table, or open bookshelf in rustic, traditional, or eclectic interiors. Displaying the object alongside period ceramics or organic textures highlights its primitive form and metalwork craftsmanship.

Dust the item gently with a soft, dry brush or cloth and keep it away from excessive moisture. Applying a clear microcrystalline wax or natural beeswax polish to both the metal and wooden base preserves the patina and guards the iron against oxidisation.
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