Rush Nip and Candle Spike in Hand Hewn Base

This hand Hewn and forged Lighting Device dates to the early 1700's or perhaps the prior century.  The crudely hacked base is probably oak (not much grain in evidence) and most likely done with mallet and chisel.  The "lining" decoration was used as late as the 1700's to "prettify" utilitarian hand made objects.  The channel cutting thru the base may indicate its use straddling another piece in a work shop environment.  The piece hanging from the coiled side of the Rush Nip is the "steel" used with a flint to start the fire to light the lighting devices.  The markings on the steel are to create sharp junctures which will spark when hit by the flint. By attaching the steel to the lighting device it eliminated the "where's the flint?"  This again indicates a usage location with potentially many users of the device.

The base is 9" long x 3-2/3" wide  and 2-1/2" to 3" high depending on where measured as the base slants.  The candle spike is 10-1/2"high (including the base and the Rush Light Holder is 9-3/4" as it is on the shortest end. All in all this sums up the great rarity of this now ancient and unique piece.  Certainly worthy to be called "museum quality", a term we don't use lightly.

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