HEATING AND LIGHTING UTENSILS IN NATIONAL MUSEUM 25 



This specimen is not old, but is probably a replica of an older candle- 

 stick. Another ornate pair shows how far variation may be carried 

 on the old turned wood model. (PI. 19, fig. 17, Cat. No. 325911, 

 England; M. L. Turner; 10.8 inches (27.5 cm.) high.) There are 

 many solid cast brass candlesticks with slender roundel stem and 

 oblong rectangular base with claw or ball feet, of which the date 

 is not ascertained. Some of the specimens in the collection are much 

 worn and damaged, more so than the English baluster type, and 

 appear old. (PI. 19, fig. 18, Cat. No. 290442, France; Mrs. C. E. 

 Bates; 10 inches (25.5 cm.) high.) Brass candlesticks in general are 

 provided with a simple device for pushing up the candle ends in the 

 socket for economical burning. This is a rod passing upward through 

 the stem and terminating in the socket with a disk. When this device 

 began to be utilized is not ascertained; also there is no information 

 as to whether it was patented. If not, it was applied to candlesticks 

 before the establishment of patent offices. 



CANDLESTICKS OF HAMMERED IRON 



A familiar iron candlestick of early times in America was a 

 widely accepted type because it was indestructible and serviceable 

 to the limit of early ideas of economy. It had a cupped base, a 

 straight tube with a slide, and a rim around the top provided with 

 a hook for hanging up or for carrying. On occasion this candle- 

 stick in virtue of the cupped base was used to scrape hogs at the 

 butchering and also could be used to cut out cookies. (PI. 19, fig. 15, 

 Cat. No. 75359, Bainbridge, Pa.; George Bean; 6.1 inches (15.5 cm.) 

 high.) A candlestick prized by collectors is variously assigned to 

 Switzerland, Germany, and the Tyrol. It is really a remarkable 

 piece of seventeenth century ironwork, showing the art of the 

 painstaking craftsman unmindful of time. The specimen is dated 

 1709. It shows ancient survivals from the splint clip in its spring arm 

 and the hook for hanging. (PI. 20, fig. 2, Cat. No. 130655, Switzer- 

 land; Goldsborough and Co.; 11.4 inches (29 cm.) high.) Another 

 type familiar in collections and frequently copied is of hammered 

 iron. It consists of a lobed base, a short column from which rises 

 a spiral surmounted by a ring with a hook. In the spiral works 

 a candle socket with a guiding hook allowing the candle to be 

 moved up and down, a feature in advance of candle slides and not 

 bettered before the advent of the spring candlestick. (PI. 20, fig. 

 1, Cat. No. 168313, Germany; S. B. Dean; 10.2 inches (26 cm^ 

 high.) The specimen dates about 1700 and shows some relationship 

 to Figure 2. This type of candlestick was called "Martin Luther." 

 Rude wrought-iron candlesticks are somewhat common. These, like 

 the betty lamps, were exhibits of the skill of the local smith, who not 



