Rush Holder with Candle Socket c. 1937

This watercolor by H. Langden Brown depicts a rush holder with candle socket. Likely made of iron, the stand would have been forged through labor-intensive work at the blacksmith's. Consider the properties of the material; when heated, iron becomes malleable and can be bent and worked into shape, but when cooled, it is extremely strong. Here the craftsman used these qualities to create a functional, durable object with a simple but elegant design. The three arched legs provide stability, while the clamp at the top would have held a rush dipped in fat or wax, providing a steady source of light. The candle socket adds additional illumination, revealing the value placed on extending the day in pre-industrial society. The creation of this seemingly humble object reflects skilled traditions of metalworking, and speaks to the social context of labor and craftsmanship. It invites us to appreciate the ingenuity and resourcefulness of past makers, challenging any perceived boundaries between craft, design, and art.