Lacemakers' Candle Stool

We often hear Museum visitors chatting about this curious object, which can be seen in the parlour at Pickard’s Cottage. The lacemakers’ candle stool would have provided light for three workers in whilst they concentrated on this most delicate of handiworks, in the days before electric lights.

The water-filled flasks on the stool acted as lenses to concentrate the candlelight onto their lacemaking pillows. It is said that melted snow water gave the best light, being the purest. A few drops of sulphuric acid were sometimes added, to give a softer bluish light.

This is the ideal object to adopt, if you (or a loved one) are interested in traditional crafts, lacemaking or needlework. Help us to keep telling the stories of people in the past, who strived to make beautiful and intricate textiles, in tricky conditions!

A printed certificate of thanks, with an image of your object, sent in the post. An invitation to a summer drinks reception in 2024, if you have adopted the object by 30 April 2024.