{"product_id":"17th-century-silver-candle-snuffers","title":"17th-Century Silver Candle Snuffers","description":"Candle Snuffers or Scissors\u003cbr\u003e William Bainbridge\u003cbr\u003e Circa 1685 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This remarkable pair of 17th-century English candle scissors and snuffers exemplifies an elegant solution to a common candle maintenance challenge of the era. As beeswax was very expensive, everyday candles were typically made from tallow, a material prone to uneven burning. The wicks, crafted from tightly braided fibers, didn’t burn away, growing longer as the candle melted. These wicks would often curl back into the flame, extinguishing it. This required frequent trimming to maintain a steady light. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Candle scissors like these served to trim the wick, ensuring a steadier, more even burn. The small box attached to one of the blades collected trimmed wick remnants, while the longer blade’s pointed end was designed to skillfully uncurl the wick and remove charred portions. Additionally, these scissors could be used to snuff out the flame, functioning as candle snuffers. While most candle scissors were crafted from iron, brass or steel, more upscale households favored ornamental versions made of silver, such as this elegant pair. Surviving examples of 17th-century silver are extremely uncommon today, as much was melted down for materials. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This rare example, stamped six times with the initials \"WB,\" is attributed to William Bainbridge or Bambridge. Other candle scissors bearing this \"WB\" mark survive from the reign of James II. The scissor's compartment is elegantly engraved with a griffin’s head erased, a heraldic crest linking it to the noble Watson family, Earls of Rockingham—a lineage that dates back to the late 15th century and became extinct in 1746. Additionally, these scissors were a part of the prestigious Red McCombs collection, which has been highly publicized and studied. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e 6 1\/2\" high x 2 1\/4\" wide x 1 1\/2\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Private collection of the Watson family, Rockingham\u003cbr\u003e MSR, New Orleans\u003cbr\u003e Red McCombs Collection, Texas\u003cbr\u003e MSR, New Orleans","brand":"MSR","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50274856960290,"sku":"31-9360","price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0961\/6710\/0706\/files\/31-9360_1.png?v=1756227988","url":"https:\/\/banksyarts.com\/products\/17th-century-silver-candle-snuffers","provider":"The Louvre of America","version":"1.0","type":"link"}