Chamberstick
England or United States
1860-1920
Measurements
6 in (without electrification) x 6-3/8 in x 6 in (dia)
Materials
Tinned sheet iron
Credit Line
Historic Odessa Foundation, gift of H. Rodney Sharp
Accession Number
1959.3631
Condition Notes
The candlestick has been electrified. The wire runs through the side ejector hole. The ejector is missing. The candlestick exhibits little or no wear.
Provenance
Ex coll. H. Rodney Sharp
Comments
This simple chamberstick has a shaft made of rolled sheet iron, seamed at the site of a side ejector, which is now missing. The drip pan at the top is a separate piece of metal soldered to the shaft. At the bottom, the shaft attaches to a small dome, itself attached to the large round pan. A cylindrical handle attaches to the sidewall of the pan. The rim of the pan and the edges of the handle have tightly folded metal edges. They are not rolled as common on 18th and early 19th century example. The candle shaft is also noticeably longer than those of the earlier period.
Chambersticks of this design resemble the more common “hogscraper” candlestick form (see, e.g., accession nos. 1959.3800, 1959.3890, and 1955.48). Those candlesticks were in production for a long time (c. 1770 to after the mid-19th century), but this chamberstick appears to have been made later. Its condition and lack of use are consistent with a late date.
