42 BULLETIN 141^ UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



on Plate 37, figure 9. (Cat. No. 311540, European; Elizabeth S. 

 Stevens; 3.3 inches (8.8 cm.) by 6.1 inches (15.5 cm.); 6.8 inches 

 (16 cm.) high.) Another of Sheffield plate shows the divided stem 

 and the placing of the extinguisher. Rarely have the candlestick, 

 snuffers, and extinguisher been kept together. (PI. 37, fig. 11, Cat. 

 No. 311536, England; Elizabeth S. Stevens; 6.5 inches (16.5 cm.) by 

 4.9 inches (12.5 cm.), 3.9 inches (10 cm.) high.) Generally the 

 snuffers which have survived are too large for the receptacle in the 

 candlestick, which points to their use on trays and perhaps the later 

 date of trays. Snuffers are with or without legs, and all have a sharp 

 point for regulating the wick except Flemish specimens. The earlier 

 forms simply pressed the fungus or charred portion of the wick be- 

 tween the two flat faces. Later forms pressed the fungus into a box 

 inclosure, obviating the disagreeable odor. Still later, near the 

 decline of the candle, a spring at the pivot was introduced and the 

 final effort produced a spring partition which closed off the fungus 

 into a separate chamber. Plate 37, figure 4, is a springless snuffer of 

 brass. (Cat. No. 311869, England; Elizabeth S. Stevens; 6.3 inches 

 (16 cm.) long.) Figure 5 is an artistic pair of brass with spring. 

 (Cat. No. 311868, England; same donor; 7.3 inches (18.5 cm.) long.) 

 Figure 2 is an artistic pair in silver and steel with spring partition 

 as described. (Cat. No. 300846, England; Groce's Hardware Store, 

 Washington, D. C. ; 7.3 inches (19 cm.) long.) Figure 6 is a quaint, 

 highly artistic Flemish snuffers of cast brass which appear clumsy in 

 comparison with the English specimens. (Cat. No. 326314, Belgium; 

 Kendrick Scofield; 7.7 inches (19.5 cm.) long.) Extinguishers also 

 exhibit divergent grades of art, and, like snuffers, might be considered 

 a refinement when a puff would extinguish a candle as effectively. 

 The collection is Avithout a pole extinguisher such as were used for 

 candles placed in high situations, as in chandeliers. The specimen 

 (pi. 37, fig. 10) is an elaborately ornamented example in brass. (Cat. 

 No. 311874, France; Elizabeth S. Stevens; 2.4 inches (6 cm.) high.) 

 The specimen attached to candlestick Figure 11 is of Sheffield plate 

 and has an ornamented tip. 



MODERN IMPROVEMENTS ON THE CANDLESTICK 



About 1845 an Englishman named Palmer made improvements 

 on candles and candlesticks. Palmer's device on the candlestick 

 consisted of a spring placed in the tubular stem. The candle was 

 thrust down, the tube compressing the spring, and was held by a 

 locking cap which held the upper end of the candle. The cup, 

 corresponding to the old candle socket, was choked. The candle 

 was forced up by the spring as it burned, so that there was no excess 

 to form a drip. A good example of excellent English brass work 



