Posted 11 years ago
hotairfan
(388 items)
Here are (3) different Go-To-Beds from the 1800's next to a quarter to refer to their size. A pewter pig, a glass eyed owl, and a brass pig.
They were used mostly in Europe, but in some cases, they showed up in America.
So, how did they work and why? ...... In Europe and America, before the advent of electricity, the only lighting was made by a flame in the form of oil lamps or candles.
When It came time to retire to your bed chamber, you needed lighting to get ready for bed. You had to get into your bed clothes, open the bed curtains, turn down the blankets, and get the bed stool close for climbing into bed. All this had to be done with a candle burning. Everything was made of linen and was very flamable, so, you had to be very careful to prevent a fire by placing the candle holder on a dresser on the other side of the room. So, how did you get under your covers and close the bed curtains and not stub your toes on the bed stool,when you put out the candle that was located on the other side of the room?
Well, you used a G0-To-Bed. You placed a match in the Go-To-Bed and lit it just before you snuffed out the candle. You had enough time to traverse to the bed, climb up the steps, close the bed curtains, and cover up for a cold winter's night's sleep before the match burned out!
....... hotairfan.
Excellent items hotairfan, and also excellent story in reference to them. I appreciate when people take the time to "talk" about their items. As Paul Harvey used to say..." and here is the rest of the story"! I believe people look at an item differently when there is information to go along with it. Thanks for sharing, Thrifty
Thank you ThriftyGypsey for your nice comments. ...hotairfan
Couldn't agree more - it's great to learn something new about old stuff! Love the owl!