Ca. 1800s Brass Tinder Box Candlestick Holder With Flint, Steel Strike & Damper
Description: This is a nice antique brass candlestick or candle stick holder. This candlestick holder has a short column where the candle would fit sitting in the center of a domed plate, which serves as a lid to the round tinder box on which the candle is carried. The lid has a raised center with rounded profile and then rises in a slightly rounded profile ending in a flat edge to lid. The tinder box is round with straight sides and has a long flat handle riveted to it near the top with two copper rivets. The handle has a round hole near the top to hang from. The flat bottom of the box extends beyond the sides and the top of the box is rolled. The socket or column is soldered on the raised center of the lid. The column is ~7/8" in diameter and is ~1 3/4" deep. The socket has a round hole on one side and an open slit along the opposite side. The piece comes with a flint, a steel strike, and a brass domed lid or damper having a loop on top in its center. The piece has a label applied by the collector that used to own it which says "WITH TINDER STEEL & DAMPER". See page 177 in Peter, Nancy, and Herbert Schiffer "The Brass Book" published by Schiffer Books of Atglen, PA in 1978 for other examples of tinder box candle holders of the 18th and 19th century. A very interesting candlestick holder, which would make a nice addition to your collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Unknown but most likely early to mid 1800s (early to mid 19th century) or possibly earlier.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Size: The piece measures ~3 3/4" in total height, to the top of the candle socket, when the box is closed. The central column/socket being ~1 3/4" tall and with an internal diameter of ~7/8". The tinder box is ~4 5/8" in diameter at the base and is ~1 3/4" high. The piece is ~10" long when considering the handle. The brass damper measures ~4" in diameter with the flint measuring ~3 1/8" long and the steel strike being ~2 3/4" long. The entire piece with its contents weighs about one pound.
Maker: Unknown.
Marks: Unmarked.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a nice antique candlestick holder complete with its accessories, which is rather uncommon. It would make a great addition to your collection.
Condition: The candlestick is in generally good condition after being around for over 200 years. It is relatively clean with staining on the inside as well as signs of oxidation. We are not certain that the accessories that come with it are original or later additions, but they do complete the item. Other than that, the piece has scratches, dings, bends, and some residue of brass cleaner along the edges. The piece also has some excessive dings and a pattern of cross hatched lines on the bottom of the base, which we doo not know how it happened and whether it is original to the piece. The piece itself has no breaks or obvious repairs. A nice piece to add to your collection. Please see photos for additional condition information.
