Candle Snuffer

Name/Title

Candle Snuffer

Entry/Object ID

3395

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Marjorie Ellis Kroha

Notes

Date: April 1976 Credit Line: Bequest of Marjorie Ellis Kroha, Class of 1914, Home Economics Means of Accession: Bequest

Made/Created

Artist

Unidentified

Place

Country

United States

Continent

North America

Dimensions

Dimension Notes

H, L, W: 1 3/8x6 3/4x2 1/4 in; H, L, W: 3.49x17.14x5.71 cm

Height

1-3/8 in

Width

2-1/4 in

Length

6-3/4 in

Height

3.49 cm

Width

5.71 cm

Length

17.14 cm

Material

Silverplate

Interpretative Labels

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

There were several different types of candle snuffers; this particular silver plated pair was used to trim the wick of candles and catch the charred remains in the small box on top of the scissors.

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

Candle snuffers such as this were used to trim the wick of candles and catch the charred remains in the small box on top of the scissors. The invention of the self-snuffing wick, around 1825, made these obsolete.

Label Type

Exhibition Label

Label

The first decorative electroplating was developed by Luigi Brugnatelli around 1801. The process with its ability to give less expensive base metals the appearance of silver or gold made luxury items available to the middle classes.