CANDLEHOLDER
Dimensions15 x 3 cm
Object numberHF.86.37.7
DescriptionA hanging pendulum Christmas Tree candle holder with a counter balance weight. The candle holder is a shallow steel dish with four prongs that hold a candle. The holder is attached to a long wire with a circular ball at the bottom. Narrative
Decorating Christmas trees with candles spread from Germany to Scandinavia, the Nordic countries and to North America. Counter-balance pendulum Christmas tree candle holders were appearing on trees around 1877. This type of candleholder was one of the earliest styles with a ball or "Kugel" weight. The weight of the ball held the candle straight but as the candle melted, there was a risk that the weight of the ball could cause the candle to tip, increasing the risk of fire. Unable to resist the allure of a lit Christmas tree and to minimize the risk of fire, families would only light the candles for limited amounts of time with constant supervision and buckets of water nearby.
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