16th century candle snuffer

Wie kaerssen met den snuyter nijpt, Sie dat hij niet te die pen grijpt, Want die het licht te vinnig snuyt, Die blust ook groote fackels uyt. En heft dan niet voor sijnen danck, Als swarten rock en vuylen stanck.

-Jacob Cats

Candle snuffers were used to remove the smoldering wicks of candles while they were burning, this was done to prevent unpleasant smoke.  Candle snuffers are already pictured in paintings from the late medieval period. They were objects of everyday use until the 19^th century, when other light sources were discovered they became less common.

The present candle snuffer was made from brass in Mechelen during the 16^th century. Mechelen was an important center for “geelgieters” (yellow casters), they used yellow brass for casting, this consisted of copper, lead and zinc. It is no surprise that several similar candle snuffers are known which were made in Mechelen during this period as well. In his article “zestiende-eeuwse Mechelse snuitscharen,”  B. Dubbe discusses his thorough research of  this group.

Characterizing for this candle snuffer is the pear shaped snuff box. The plate on top of the box consists of a single part, while the bottom part of the box can be separated into two parts. Older models of snuffers have a similar pear shaped box, but the upper plate can be separated into two parts as well. Later examples however tend to have a rectangular or square shaped snuff box.

The upper  plate of our candle snuffer is beautifully decorated with an angel bearing a sword and shield and is crowned with a laurel wreath. The handles are decorated with hermae and end in a graceful curl.