Not currently on display at the V&A

Taperstick

1718-1719 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

A taperstick is a type of utensil similar to and usually in the style of various types of candlestick but smaller being about 10 cm high and is used to hold a taper (a thin candle). They usually exist singly and not as one of a pair since one is usually sufficient for the intended use. The socket is sometimes lined with paper in order to hold securely the tall thin taper. The taper, (made of wax and non odorous) was used mainly for melting sealing wax and for lighting candles, tobacco pipes etc., and not as a source of illumination; hence the piece was sometimes called a ‘tobacco candlestick’.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Silver
Brief description
Taperstick, silver, mark of Hezekiah Mountfort, London hallmarks (Britannia standard) for 1718-19
Physical description
Taperstick, silver (Britannia standard), hexagonal moulded foot, six sided baluster stem and moulded socket (no nozzle),
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.875in
  • Width: 3in
Marks and inscriptions
  • London hallmarks (Britannia standard) for 1718-19
  • Mark of Hezekiah Mountfort
  • The foot is pricked underneath with the intial 'ISM'.
Object history
Purchase - £10.5.10
Summary
A taperstick is a type of utensil similar to and usually in the style of various types of candlestick but smaller being about 10 cm high and is used to hold a taper (a thin candle). They usually exist singly and not as one of a pair since one is usually sufficient for the intended use. The socket is sometimes lined with paper in order to hold securely the tall thin taper. The taper, (made of wax and non odorous) was used mainly for melting sealing wax and for lighting candles, tobacco pipes etc., and not as a source of illumination; hence the piece was sometimes called a ‘tobacco candlestick’.
Collection
Accession number
141-1907

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Record createdSeptember 10, 2004
Record URL
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