Historical information
This candle holder was probably home made and hung in a kitchen where the candles would be accessible and lit from the wood stove or a fireplace. Candles for lighting would have been in widespread use in Warrnambool until the mid 1920s when electric lighting was introduced and would have been used for a couple of decades after this in areas out of towns and cities where there was no electric lighting.
Significance
This item is retained as an example of a household item from the early 20th century. It will be useful for display and school visits.
Physical description
This is a rectangular-shaped wooden container with a fitted lid. The container has been painted white but is now peeling in places. The top of the container has an extra wooden piece at the top with a hole in the middle for attaching a cord or string to hang the item on a door or wall. The word ‘candles’ is incised into the side of the container. Inside the container (originally space for six candles) are the remains of three candles with one other candle almost intact and another one intact with a wick.
Inscriptions & markings
CANDLES