Object number
55/354
Description
Snuffer, scissor-shaped device. With 3 feet, elaborate decorated handle and several inscriptions where the blade join.
Snuffers are scissor-shaped devices used to cut off the charred top from candles. A box is fitted to one blade to hold the charred wick attached and the other blade has flat piece of metal which carries the cut wick into the box and extinguishes it. The spike projecting from the box was for uncurling the wick before cutting it. This pair of snuffers has three feet, elaborately decorated handles and several inscriptions where the blades join.
Physical description
1 pair of snuffers: metal [steel]; good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘This candle snuffer is made of steel and measures 7 inches in length. It consists of a rectangular box fitted to a blade, and a flat piece of steel fitted to the second blade which pushed the wick into the box. A spike used for uncurling the wick before cutting projects from the box. The handle bows are elaborately decorated and the snuffer is supported on three feet, one under each handle bow and a third under the spike. There is a floral decoration, a small crown, the initials ‘V.R’ and the word ‘superfine’ at the point where the two blades join.’
Production date
1825-01-01 - 1874-12-31
Production period
Mid-nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
