Sweetness and light

Jonathan Swift, The Battle of the Books, 1704.

For many centuries the use of beeswax was the prerogative of the Church, the Crown and the nobility.

The royal household employed its own wax chandlers. Although independent workers in this craft were thought to have emerged in the 13th century, it was not until 1484 that the Wax Chandlers of the City of London were granted a Royal Charter by Richard III.

The Wax Chandlers had the same quality control and regulatory role within their trade as the Tallow Chandlers. They were thus empowered to ensure that only unadulterated beeswax candles were sold. In the mid 15th century wax candles cost 2s or more a pound. The humble tallow candle was about 6d a pound.

In the Middle Ages candle wicks were made of flax, and later of twisted cotton. One of the skills of the wax chandler was getting the right dimension of wick in relation to the size of the candle. If this was done correctly the candle needed little attention and would not require snuffing.

After the honey and wax were taken from the hive, the wax was rendered and refined to remove impurities. The quality beeswax candles were made from bleached wax. This process left the candle white, translucent and virtually odourless.

Until the 19th century it was unusual for beeswax candles to be made in moulds because of their tendency to stick. Beeswax candles were therefore made by hand.

The most common method was to ladle the heated wax over suspended wicks to build up layers. This long and laborious process added to the high cost. The candle was then formed into a cylindrical shape by rolling on a moistened hard wood surface, and by this method could be kept to a fairly uniform size.

In the mid 18th century a new wax candle, processed from the head matter of sperm whales, began to appear on the London market. Spermaceti candles produced a brighter flame than beeswax candles and initially were slightly more expensive.

In the 19th century the standard unit of measurement of light, one candle power (cp), was the light given by one pure spermaceti candle weighing two ounces and burning 120 grains an hour.

In the most prosperous homes candlelight was enhanced by reflection from mirrors and other burnished surfaces, like gilded furniture and picture frames, which sparkled and shimmered in the half-light.

In the Georgian period the taste for lighter painted ceilings and wall surfaces also helped boost the overall level of illumination. Wax candles were used for show and their fabulous fittings were all part of the elaborate display.

Perhaps the most admired of all light fittings were cut glass chandeliers. Their ownership was synonymous with wealth. Candlelight refracted from a multitude of faceted lustres, prisms, drops and beads intensified the light and produced glittering and dazzling rainbow effects.

Paraffin wax candles, introduced in the mid-19th century, were cheap but good quality. They rapidly surpassed all other candles in popularity. Paraffin wax was extracted from crude oil and after refining could be made into moulded candles. The candles were made with a glossy surface that rivalled other wax candles in appearance. They burned with a bright light, and offered all the advantages at a fraction of the cost.

By this time wax chandlers had become a thing of the past. Consumers could get all their candle supplies from ironmongers, hardware shops and department stores. At the end of the 19th century 90% of all candles were made of paraffin wax, available in different shapes and sizes and in a variety of colours.