Name/Title
Pewter Candle MoldsEntry/Object ID
1901.62.2Description
Pewter candle molds from the Bailly homestead, including two wooden stoppers.Use
To use a mold, the candle maker threaded a wick through the tube and sealed the bottom with a wooden stopper. Melted wax was then poured into the mold, sometimes twice to avoid a hollow interior. When the wax had hardened completely, the candle maker dipped the mold in hot water to release the finished product.Context
The Baillys used candles for trade, everyday illumination, and religious ceremonies at the homestead. While candles could be dipped by hand, using molds was efficient and yielded more uniform results. Pewter molds were popular because they cooled quickly and released candles easily.Exhibition
From a Bailly Point of View