The wicks of early candles were not entirely consumed as the candle burned, making it necessary to constantly trim the charred portion of the wick as it caused the candle to gutter and smoke. A candle snuffer (not included), kept on a snuffer tray such as this (foreground), was used to trim the wick - not, as its name implies, to extinguish the flame.

L-102 Snuffer Tray 9" x 3 1/4" x 1/4"

$40.00

A candle extinguisher (top center) allowed extinguishing the candle flame with a minimum of smoking that would have otherwise resulted if it was blown out. English extinguishers were generally capped with a small brass ball finial while those made in America were not. A 'douter' was also used to extinguish a candle flame - it resembled a pair of scissors with two discs or pinchers in place of blades.

L-103 Candle Extinguisher 1 1/2" x 3"

$50.00

The chamberstick (top right) is patterned after a fluted-edged chamberstick owned by the Connecticut Historical Society. Rather than illuminate an entire room, families would gather around one or two candles; rooms where the family did not gather - such as bed chambers - were not illuminated at all. When going to bed, a candle or 'chamber' stick might be available to light the way. In the morning they were returned to their place in the kitchen or first floor landing for use the next evening.

L-114 Chamberstick 4" x 1 3/4"

$40.00