Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Metalware, Room 116, The Belinda Gentle Gallery

Candlestick

early 16th century (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Made in Flanders in the early 16th century, this is a pricket candlestick with a spike to hold the candle. Tallow (animal fat) was soft and generally required a socketed candlestick. Wax cost more, but was harder and more suitable for pricket candlesticks, which developed from simple iron spikes on feet. The candles dripped constantly so the candlesticks had wide, deep drip pans.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Brass, turned
Brief description
Brass candlestick with shallow cup at the top of the stem, from which rises the pricket, Flemish, early 16th century
Physical description
The ridged stem with flat knop rests upon a deeply moulded base and supports a shallow cup, similarly moulded from the centre of which springs the iron pricket.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12.25in
  • Diameter: 5.25in
Object history
Bought from the Hefner-Alteneck Collection
Summary
Made in Flanders in the early 16th century, this is a pricket candlestick with a spike to hold the candle. Tallow (animal fat) was soft and generally required a socketed candlestick. Wax cost more, but was harder and more suitable for pricket candlesticks, which developed from simple iron spikes on feet. The candles dripped constantly so the candlesticks had wide, deep drip pans.
Collection
Accession number
1064-1904

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Record createdFebruary 12, 2004
Record URL
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