These beeswax moulds are second-hand bread tins from a baker. Beekeepers would re-use anything suitable for melting blocks of wax, this is an example. These weren't so good, the wax was a bit hard to get out.Metal rectangular tub, joined on one side to identical tub. No lids. Rusty, shows use wear. metal, mould, beeswax, beeswax mould, beechworth honey

To use this foundation mould, melted beeswax was poured , the lid was placed on top, and the wax allowed to cool. The mould was then separated, and the beeswax foundation sheet taken out. Once placed in a hive, bees used the honeycomb impression created by the mould to draw out honey comb cells to store honey and polen. This mould was used by Bill Voigt, a beekeeping friend of the Robinson family. It was donated by Wilma, Val and Richard Voigt.This is antique equipment used by known beekeepers. Rectangular box with base and no lid. Constructed from wood, joined with metal nails in the corners. Inside box is a metal mould base with hexagonal imprint and metal mould lid with hexagonal imprint.antique, old, wax, foundation, mould, beechworth honey, voigt, robinson

Candles were the main source of lighting during the Colonial era. The candles were made at home from tallow, or animal fat, which was readily available and inexpensive. The tallow was soft, often had an unpleasant smell, band burned with a low, quickly fading light. Beeswax candles could be bought ready-made and lasted longer when lit. Bayberry wax could also be made into candles but was the process was labour intensive and time consuming. Spermaceti was from whale oil, a growing industry in the late 1800's, made firmer candles. Around this time wooden candle moulds were invented and uniform size and shape candles could be produced using the spermaceti wax. The candle mould is significant in the evolution of household lighting. It was an asset to the 19th century homemakers, allowing the production of their own candles in a uniform size. Candlelight allowed for the extension of time available for duties.Candle mould of tinplate for one dozen (12) candles. The tubular moulds stand upright, three rows of four, in a fitted tray. Another concave tray fits over the top ends of the moulds and has a hole above each of the candles, which is used for filling the moulds with melted wax. Ends have wire-reinforced edges.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, candle mould, candle making, lighting, candles, tallow, beeswax, bayberry wax, spermaceti was, whale oil, candlelight