Candle: Difference between revisions
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==Period candles== |
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For information on period lighting, including candles, see [[lighting]]. |
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Period candles could be made from two materials - [[tallow]] or [[beeswax]]. They were generally uncoloured, but there are some [[Renaissance]] examples of red, green and black candles. Tallow candles were yellow and smelly, whereas beeswax candles were nearly white and if they smelt at all, it was a pleasant smell of [[honey]]. While the poor made do with tallow candles, the rich and the [[church]] used beeswax candles refined so they were as white and pure as possible. |
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Modern candles are molded (giving them their uniform width), a technique that was not known until the [[15th century]] (see [http://www.craftcave.com/candle/history.shtml www.craftcave.com]). Prior to this candles were produced by techniques such as dipping, dripping or rolling, all of which were very time consuming, adding to the cost of this article. Because of this non-uniform width, most candle holders or [[candelabra]] were of the variety with a bowl to catch drips and a spike to impale the candle on. Candelabra with fitted sockets for candles are a very late [[period]] invention, as they must postdate the common manufacture of molded candles. (although you can use these to hold your new oil lamp :-)) |
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==Modern Candles for sca feasts:== |
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Large fat bees[[wax]] candles are good - you can often buy them cheaply, they are a good imitation of period candles, white/cream ones usually don't contain nasty scents that people have allergies to, and they should last nicely, without going out, through several [[feast]]s. They also generally keep the light at the height required for seeing your [[food]]. |
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Until the [[Renaissance]], candles were not preferred as the main source of lighting a home - [[oil lamps]] were much more economical and equally bright, without the smell. The chief demand for beeswax candles came from the pre-[[Reformation]] [[church]], as lighting candles was important for religious purposes. |
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The tall white emergency candles generally require a candlestand, drip wax more, blow out more often and shed less light, but still work quite well. You can generally buy a pack of 10 from the [[supermarket]] for just a few dollars. |
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== See also == |
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Tealight candles, are cheap and provide lots of light, however they burn very hotly, heating up the feast hall, which in the Australian [[winter]] is generally quite hot enough by the time everyone arrives (and let's not mention the Australian [[summer]]). They also go out easily, wax stain [[tablecloth]]s (and more permanently than other candle types) and can be hotter to touch. Other types of candles (including the very similar, but less hot votive candles) are much better alternatives for an indoor feast. |
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*[[lighting]] |
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*[[modern candles]] to substitute when [[feasting]] |
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*[[oil lamps]] |
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*[[candelabra]] |
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==external links== |
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[[Period]] candles were generally white or wax coloured, but there are some [[Renaissance]] examples of red, green and black candles. Votive candles were an important use for [[wax]] in period. |
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*[http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=567 Atlantian A&S Links: Lighting] |
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*[http://www.ukdfd.co.uk/ukdfddata/showrecords.php?product=685&sort=2&cat=21&page=3 Portable Candlestick Holder] |
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*[http://larsdatter.com/candleholders.htm Candlesticks, Candelabras, and Chandeliers of the Middle Ages and Renaissance] |
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[[category:artefact (medieval)]] |
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Latest revision as of 01:50, 4 December 2008
Period candles
Period candles could be made from two materials - tallow or beeswax. They were generally uncoloured, but there are some Renaissance examples of red, green and black candles. Tallow candles were yellow and smelly, whereas beeswax candles were nearly white and if they smelt at all, it was a pleasant smell of honey. While the poor made do with tallow candles, the rich and the church used beeswax candles refined so they were as white and pure as possible.
Modern candles are molded (giving them their uniform width), a technique that was not known until the 15th century (see www.craftcave.com). Prior to this candles were produced by techniques such as dipping, dripping or rolling, all of which were very time consuming, adding to the cost of this article. Because of this non-uniform width, most candle holders or candelabra were of the variety with a bowl to catch drips and a spike to impale the candle on. Candelabra with fitted sockets for candles are a very late period invention, as they must postdate the common manufacture of molded candles. (although you can use these to hold your new oil lamp :-))
Until the Renaissance, candles were not preferred as the main source of lighting a home - oil lamps were much more economical and equally bright, without the smell. The chief demand for beeswax candles came from the pre-Reformation church, as lighting candles was important for religious purposes.
See also
- lighting
- modern candles to substitute when feasting
- oil lamps
- candelabra
