Antique Victorian mid to late 19th century toleware candle box extremely rare!!! This rare toleware candle box would have hung in a wall and been securely locked. Candles were extremely expensive (this one may have been in a church ).
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Some age related wear, well, it is at least 150 years old!!!
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31 cm wide
10 cm round
16 cm tall
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Toleware candle boxes were a practical and decorative 18th and 19th-century household item, named after the French word for painted sheet metal, "\(tôle\) \(peinte\)". They were made by lacquering and decorating tin, often with stenciling or gilding, to create a convenient and secure place to store candles to protect them from pests or accidents. Their popularity spread throughout Europe and North America, with distinct styles emerging, like those by the American Pennsylvania Dutch. Development and use Origin: The technique of decorating sheet metal dates back to the 18th century, with the term "\(tôle\) \(peinte\)" originating in France to describe this "painted sheet metal".Function: Candle boxes provided a protected storage for candles, keeping them cool and safe from household pests or accidental use. They could be free-standing or wall-mounted and were common in kitchens and other convenient locations.Aesthetic: In addition to their practical use, they were also decorative items, often featuring elaborate designs like stenciling, gilding, or hand-painted scenes.Regional styles:American: The Pennsylvania Dutch were among the first American groups to create decorative toleware items, including candle boxes, during the 18th and early 19th centuries.British: Areas in South Wales, such as Pontypool and Usk, became famous for their "tôle" which imitated Japanese lacquerwork starting in the early 19th century. Characteristics Material: Toleware candle boxes were typically made of tin or sheet iron.Design: They could be wall-mounted, often with two mounting plates and a hinged lid, or free-standing.Decoration: Common decoration included black lacquer as a base, with hand-painted or stenciled designs, sometimes incorporating gilding or even mother-of-pearl inlay.
