Candles and your home - history, uses, decorating ideas, etiquette and safety tips
The candle is the oldest means to supplying light. Although a number of changes have been made to methods of candle manufacture, there is no basic difference between a candle made in the past and one made today.References to lighting candles date back to ancient times as early as 3000 BC in Crete and Egypt. Candles are mentioned in Biblical writings as early as the tenth century BC. A fragment of candle from the first century AD has been found in Avignon, France.
Candles were used in great halls, monasteries and churches of medieval times. In addition, candles were used to light cottages and shops. King Alfred of England stuck torches in walls to supply lighting. The simplest (and smelliest) candles known as rush light were made by dipping rushes in leftover kitchen fat.
For many centuries, candles were considered expensive items in Europe. Town-made candles from the wax-chandler were available for those who could afford them. These candles were made of wax or animal fat and were placed in silver, wooden or pewter candlesticks.
From the sixteenth century onwards, living standards improved as evidenced by the increasing availability of candlesticks and candleholders and their appearance in households. At this time, candles were usually sold by the pound and sold in bundles of eight, ten, or twelve candles. Everyday candles were made of animal fat (tallow) , usually from sheep (mutton) or cows. These candles were usually a dark yellowish color and probably gave off a nasty smell.
In England, both the wax chandlers and the tallow chandlers formed their own guilds. Wax chandlers were considered more upper class than tallow chandlers. Their business was also more profitable because people were prepared to pay more for a wax candle.The English Tallow Chandlers were incorporated in 1462 and they regulated trade in candles made from animal fats.
The quality of candle light depended upon the type of material used. Beeswax, for example, gave off a much brighter light than tallow. In addition to tallow and beeswax, another material known as spermaceti became popular for candlemaking. Spermaceti was derived from the oil present in the head cavities of sperm whales. These candles burned with a very bright light- so bright that a spermaceti candle flame was used as a standard light measure for photometry (the science of light measurement). Spermaceti candles were slightly cheaper than beeswax candles but are no longer made because of environmental concerns.
The ninetenth century brought the development of patented candlemaking machines, making candles available for the poorest homes. In an attempt to protect the industry, England passed a law forbidding the making of candles at home without purchase of a special licence. At this time, a chemist named Michel Eugene Chevreul made an important discovery. He realized that tallow was not one substance but a composition of two fatty acids, stearic acid and oleic acid, combined with glycerine to form a neutral non-flammable material.
By removing the glycerine from the tallow mixture, Chevreul invented a new substance called "stearine." Stearine was harder than tallow and burned brighter and longer. It is this substance known today as stearin or stearic acid that led to the improvement of candle quality. Stearin also made improvements in the manufacture of wicks possible. It put an end to the constant round of snuffing and trimming wicks once they were lit. Instead of being made of simply twisted strands of cotton, wicks were now plaited tightly; the burned portion curled over and was completely consumed, rather than falling messily into the melting wax.
More improvements such as the addition of lime, palmatine, and paraffin developed in commercial candle manufacture. Paraffin wax was extracted from crude oil . It equalled beeswax and spermaceti candles for brightness and hardness and were cheaper. Paraffin wax is still widely used today in commercial candlemaking.
Most Popular Uses of Candles
Candles are amazingly multi-purpose items. Here are some of the most popular uses of candles.
- Lighting
- Home decoration item
- Table accessory
- Aromatherapy
- Romance
- Relaxation
Candle Decorating Ideas
- Tall slim candles are ideal for elegant dining.
- Short wide candles are perfect for suppers and informal meals.
- Arrange candles with different heights around the room-on windowsills, side-tables, and fireplaces.
- Place some colorful stones or shells in a wide-topped glass bowl along with floating candles or combine floating candles with Japanese water flowers.
Candle Etiquette
- Candles and centerpieces should be about two inches below the eye level of your guest. A candle flame flickering between your gaze and the person across the table is annoying, not romantic.
- Light the candles just before the guests are seated, and allow them to burn until everyone stands.
- White or ivory tapers are appropriate for any table, and of course they should be free from any fragrance. It is excessive to burn candles during sunny, daylight hours; they should be lit only at dusk, or later, or on overcast days when the table might otherwise be gloomy.
- To extinguish a candle frame, use a long-handled candle snuffer. If you are obligated to blow out a candle, hold your cupped hand behind the flame so as to prevent spraying hot wax on your linens.
- It is recommended that the tips of new candles be burned an inch or so to remove the "newness" from them before being placed on the table.
Candle Safety Tips
- Always secure candles to a protective base or holder before igniting. It is safer and helps to prevent damages to a surface.
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- To dispose unwanted wax, pour wax into milk carton for garbage disposal. Do not pour melted wax down the sink.