Colonial Candle History

Colonial candle history introduces us to some important innovations in candle making. This is an interesting period in the history of candles, as necessity created opportunities for new methods and materials.

Colonial candles were necessary for light.

Candles were absolutely necessary to the colonial people, as they were the only source of light in the evenings. Electricity was still a thing of the future. Winter nights were especially long, so autumn became the time when colonial women would spend hours making candles to store for the upcoming winter season.

The candles used in colonial times were the same as those used for hundreds of years before, with wax made of animal fats (called tallow). Tallow was readily available in households, eliminating the need for purchasing supplies and materials to make candles.

Tallow candles have a low melting point and give off a rather unpleasant odor, so these candles weren't anything like the ones we enjoy today. These candles were simple for women to make in their homes, however, and the materials were readily available. Dipped tapers were the most commonly found candles in colonial households.

For the upper class, beeswax candles offered a respite from the smell and other drawbacks of tallow-based products. Beeswax was expensive, however, and therefore a luxury that most common folks couldn't afford.

In addition to the odor of wax rendered from tallow, there were several other drawbacks:

• The low melting point caused the candles to burn quickly, and the wax ran down the sides, pooling in large masses.

• Since the candles were so soft, they would warp and become misshapen in summer heat.

• Storage of these candles became difficult, since they were easily damaged.

• Tallow gives off a lot of black smoke while burning, which damaged walls, ceilings, and furniture.

Another problem with early colonial candles was that the wicks were made from pure cotton strands, which were difficult to keep lit for any length of time when combined with the soft wax.

Colonial women discovered that a better wax could be made from bayberries. Presumably, this discovery was made while attempting to add ingredients to the candles in order to make them smell better. Bayberries created a clean-smelling, hard wax that was preferable by far to tallow.

Unfortunately, creating bayberry wax was a time-consuming and impractical task. Over six pounds of berries were necessary for a return of only one scant pound of wax, and the process took much longer than creating tallow candles. Time was a luxury that colonial women simply didn't have.

In the late 1700s, the whale industry was growing at an extremely fast rate. It was discovered at this time that whale oil, obtained from the cavities in the head of the sperm whale, could produce a more stable wax. These candles, made from what is called spermaceti wax, were harder and burned longer. While they still produced an off-putting smell when burned, the odor was not quite as strong as that from tallow candles.

Spermaceti wax had to be purchased in most households, but it could be blended with tallow as well, making the candles more economical.

Colonial candle history is credited with making the first standardized candles as a direct result of the discovery of spermaceti wax. Colonial candle molds were made from wooden boxes, and the resulting uniform candles burned much brighter and lasted longer than the tallow candles ever had.

Aside from the practical uses for candles in colonial times, Christmas decorating incorporated an abundance of candles. Windows were lined with glowing tapers, Christmas trees were lit with smaller candles, and of course religious ceremonies and seasonal celebrations featured many candles.

There are many places today where you can experience what it would have been like to make your own candles in colonial times. The most popular destination is Colonial Williamsburg, in Virginia. There, you can learn the basics of candle making and even take a turn at dipping your own tallow wax tapers.

• Cheap Candle Rings for Christmas
• Angel Tealight Candle Holder
• Embossed Rose Candle

• Yankee Candle Outlet Store
• Outdoor Candle Lanterns
• Floating Candle Centerpieces
• Floor Standing Candle Holders
• Making Homemade Candles

• Category:About Candles
• Yankee Candle Aromatherapy Spa
• Search for Candle Bargains
• Colonial Candle Making
• How Did Colonial People Make Candles