Candlestick
17th century (Date manufactured/created)
Brass
Making candles was labor intensive. Most candles were made with tallow (fat from cattle). When cattle were butchered, the fat was rendered (melted), then hand-dipped or molded into candles. More pleasant-smelling candles were made from beeswax or bayberries, but they were used only for special occasions. Since candles were precious commodities, a candlestick made out of brass was considered a luxury item. Though not as expensive as pewter, brass candlesticks were highly valued, especially compared to tin versions, the most basic and common candlesticks.
HW1960.029