Man, woman, fire, water and a whole lot of things trying to eat man and woman, that's all there was in the beginning! Fire was a weapon for people in those distant times. It was perhaps man's main form of protection from predatory animals. It also served to cook their food, light their shelter and obviously keep them warm. This rudimentary need for fire in and around our lives is in our DNA. It fulfills some form of primeval deep need. Open fires, wood burners etc are becoming more desirable today. Similarly with candles. It's an animal thing and helps make our homes more cozy and inviting. This article focuses on a brief history of candles, the societies that used them and the people that made them.
Ancient Candles Candles from beeswax have been recorded as early as 3000 BC in ancient Egypt. The Chinese made candles from the fat of Whales during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and in early China and Japan, tapers made with wax from insects and seeds, wrapped in paper are known to have been used. The wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles in ancient India. During the first century AD, Groups of people in the Pacific Northwest fused oil from the Eulachon (or "candle-fish"), to make a rudimentary candle. Candles are an ancient product originally made out of necessity for light in homes and for use in religious practices.
1 - 1300 AD Tallow candles were used in ancient Rome. Derived from suet, a crumbly animal fat, tallow was extremely Smokey in burning. However, tallow was readily available and easy to process into candles. The smoke produced was forgiven for the usefulness of the light. Tallow candles were used at altars, shrines, in temples and were very common in peoples homes. Making tallow candles was fairly simple. Melted in a pot, the tallow was then poured into molds made of bronze. Excess wax was caught in a trough and returned to the melting pot. A basic cord made from the pith of rushes was used and suspended from a horizontal rod over the mold when the tallow is poured in.
1300 AD - present Fat was the standard candle material utilized in Europe in the late middle ages. The Fat Chandlers Company of London was formed in about 1300 AD and in 1456 was given a coat of arms. The Wax Chandlers Company purchased its charter in 1484. By 1415, fat candles were employed in street lighting. The trade of the chandler is also recorded named "smeremongere", since they oversaw the construction of sauces, vinegar, soap and cheese. The upsetting hint of fat candles is due to their high glycerin content. Wealthier corporations like churches, merchants and Royalty used candles from beeswax, as the smell was typically less upsetting. The scent of the producing process of fat candles was so upsetting it was banned by ordinance in 1 or 2 towns of this period of time. In the 1800's paraffin was found. Less expensive and without the strong hint of fat, paraffin shortly became the staple material for candle making. Mechanization of the method of candle making followed and shortly inexpensive candles were available to the masses.
Candle Making As A Profession The candle maker is commonly known as a Chandler. In Britain and France candle making had become a guild graft by the 14th century. These candle makers ( chandlers ) went from house to house making candles from fats saved from the kitchen or sold their own candles from inside their shops.
Latest Market And Candle Making Developments During the 1990s, new candle waxes were being developed due to an unusually high demand for candles. In the U.S., agricultural chemists began to develop soybean wax. Soy wax was a softer and slower burning wax than paraffin. On the other side of the world, Palm wax was being developed for use in candles. Developments continue apace today with better wax blends being developed for cleaner burning, more sustainable candles. Scented candles are very popular today with an estimated global market value of $2.5 Billion in 2005. From the humble cave fire to fragrance within the home, candles are an enduring symbol of romance that makes us feel in touch our ancient past.
Ancient Candles Candles from beeswax have been recorded as early as 3000 BC in ancient Egypt. The Chinese made candles from the fat of Whales during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC) and in early China and Japan, tapers made with wax from insects and seeds, wrapped in paper are known to have been used. The wax from boiling cinnamon was used for temple candles in ancient India. During the first century AD, Groups of people in the Pacific Northwest fused oil from the Eulachon (or "candle-fish"), to make a rudimentary candle. Candles are an ancient product originally made out of necessity for light in homes and for use in religious practices.
1 - 1300 AD Tallow candles were used in ancient Rome. Derived from suet, a crumbly animal fat, tallow was extremely Smokey in burning. However, tallow was readily available and easy to process into candles. The smoke produced was forgiven for the usefulness of the light. Tallow candles were used at altars, shrines, in temples and were very common in peoples homes. Making tallow candles was fairly simple. Melted in a pot, the tallow was then poured into molds made of bronze. Excess wax was caught in a trough and returned to the melting pot. A basic cord made from the pith of rushes was used and suspended from a horizontal rod over the mold when the tallow is poured in.
1300 AD - present Fat was the standard candle material utilized in Europe in the late middle ages. The Fat Chandlers Company of London was formed in about 1300 AD and in 1456 was given a coat of arms. The Wax Chandlers Company purchased its charter in 1484. By 1415, fat candles were employed in street lighting. The trade of the chandler is also recorded named "smeremongere", since they oversaw the construction of sauces, vinegar, soap and cheese. The upsetting hint of fat candles is due to their high glycerin content. Wealthier corporations like churches, merchants and Royalty used candles from beeswax, as the smell was typically less upsetting. The scent of the producing process of fat candles was so upsetting it was banned by ordinance in 1 or 2 towns of this period of time. In the 1800's paraffin was found. Less expensive and without the strong hint of fat, paraffin shortly became the staple material for candle making. Mechanization of the method of candle making followed and shortly inexpensive candles were available to the masses.
Candle Making As A Profession The candle maker is commonly known as a Chandler. In Britain and France candle making had become a guild graft by the 14th century. These candle makers ( chandlers ) went from house to house making candles from fats saved from the kitchen or sold their own candles from inside their shops.
Latest Market And Candle Making Developments During the 1990s, new candle waxes were being developed due to an unusually high demand for candles. In the U.S., agricultural chemists began to develop soybean wax. Soy wax was a softer and slower burning wax than paraffin. On the other side of the world, Palm wax was being developed for use in candles. Developments continue apace today with better wax blends being developed for cleaner burning, more sustainable candles. Scented candles are very popular today with an estimated global market value of $2.5 Billion in 2005. From the humble cave fire to fragrance within the home, candles are an enduring symbol of romance that makes us feel in touch our ancient past.
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