Brooke Martin
Before the invention of matchsticks, candles were lit in a variety of ways in the 1700s. Candles were lit using tapers, which were thin pieces of wood, rush, or fibre, or long candle wicks covered in wax. These tapers were lit from a central fire or hearth and then used to light other candles or stoves. Tinderboxes, which contained flint, a striker, and fibrous material, were also used to create sparks and ignite candles. Beeswax or tallow candles were commonly used, but they melted quickly, so glass shades were employed to protect them from drafts. Additionally, mirrors were placed behind candlesticks to increase the light through reflection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How were candles lit? | Thin pieces of wood, rush, fibre, or a long candle wick covered in wax were lit at the main fire and then used to light candles. |
| How were fires built? | Tinderboxes were used to start fires before matches. Flint was struck against a striker to send sparks into the box and ignite the hemp inside. |
| How were candles transported? | Chamber sticks were candlesticks with handles used to light the way to bed. Enclosed lanterns made of metal or glass were used both indoors and outdoors. |
| How were candles protected? | Glass shades protected candles from drafts and provided another reflective surface. |
| What were candles made of? | Beeswax, tallow, or bayberry shrub wax. |
| How were wicks made? | Cotton, loosely spun hemp, or broken fibres used for twine or yarn. |
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What You'll Learn
Using wood, rush or fibre tapers
In the 1700s, before the invention of matchsticks, candles were often lit using wood, rush, or fibre tapers. These tapers were thin pieces of wood, whittled down to the size of a modern matchstick, or small pieces of rush or fibre. They were lit at one end by a main fire or hearth fire, and then used to light candles or other stoves.
Wooden tapers could be created by cutting thin splinters from fir trees, a method that was common in England. Cedar was also a popular choice for tapers due to its pleasant aroma. Alternatively, a small fire could be built up in the morning and kept burning throughout the day, so that candles could be lit directly from it. This method was used to light candles in an authentic 18th-century setting.
If a household did not have a personal fire, they could bring a stick to a neighbour's house and ask to light it from their fire. This practice was common when travelling, as carrying lit charcoals or ember bundles was difficult and inconvenient.
Tapers were usually stored in a spill holder, which was hung near the hearth or on the mantle. These holders were containers for sticks used to transfer fire from the hearth to an oil lamp or candle.
In addition to tapers, flint and steel strikers were also used to light fires before the invention of matchsticks. By striking flint against a striker, sparks would be sent into a tinderbox, igniting the fibrous material inside.
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Flint and steel
In the 1700s, candles were lit using a variety of methods, one of which was flint and steel. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to light a candle using flint and steel:
Step 1: Prepare the Char Cloth
The char cloth is a crucial component of the fire-starting process. To prepare it, take a piece of closely woven 100% cotton fabric and cut it into a 3" by 4" rectangle. Then, hold the fabric over an open flame, allowing it to char and blacken slightly. Be careful not to burn yourself during this process. Once the fabric has been charred, set it aside to cool.
Step 2: Prepare the Candle
For this method to work effectively, it is recommended to use a candle that has been used before, as the burnt area of the wick will more easily catch the spark. Fluff out the wick to increase the surface area, making it easier to ignite.
Step 3: Prepare the Flint and Steel
Ensure you have a piece of flint and any steel object, such as an axe head or a tent stake. Hold the flint in one hand and the steel object in the other.
Step 4: Create Sparks
Now, strike the flint and steel together vigorously in a downward motion, aiming the sparks towards the char cloth. You may need to try this several times to catch a spark on the char cloth.
Step 5: Ignite the Char Cloth
Once a spark has caught on the char cloth, it will ignite and start to burn. You can assist this process by gently blowing on the char cloth to encourage the flame.
Step 6: Light the Candle
Finally, use the burning char cloth to light the candle. Hold the char cloth close to the wick of the candle until it ignites. Be careful not to burn yourself during this process.
Using flint and steel to light a candle requires practice and patience. It is a traditional method that was commonly used before the invention of matchsticks.
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Fire pots and ember bundles
The use of fire pots and ember bundles was particularly important before the invention of matchsticks. Starting a fire from scratch was time-consuming and challenging, so keeping a small fire sustained in a fire pot was a practical solution. People would often keep a central fire burning throughout the day, using it as a source to light their candles and lamps.
Ember bundles, also known as "tinder bundles," were another ancient method used to start fires. To create an ember bundle, a flammable material called "char cloth" was ignited using sparks from striking flint and steel. This char cloth was then wrapped in a bundle of tow, which could be ignited into a flame and used to light candles or other fires.
The process of creating a char cloth involved charring a piece of cloth without burning it. This was achieved by restricting the cloth's access to air while it was burning, resulting in a highly flammable material that could easily catch a spark. The char cloth was then stored for later use in starting fires.
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Tinderboxes
In the 1700s, candles were lit using tapers, which were thin pieces of wood, rush, or fibre, or a long candle wick covered in wax. These tapers were lit by a central fire or hearth and then used to light other candles or stoves.
Small pocket tinderboxes were often carried when away from home, sometimes with a burning glass in the lid to light the tinder with the sun's rays. The tinder pistol, based on the flintlock mechanism, was a more expensive alternative to the tinderbox used in middle and upper-class homes in the 18th century.
Complete tinder boxes are hard to find and can be expensive, especially those with candle sockets on top. Reproductions are usually easy to spot due to sharp edges, a shiny surface, and a lack of patina.
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Beeswax or tallow candles
Beeswax and tallow candles were commonplace in Europe in the 1700s, with tallow being the standard material used. Tallow is the fat from cows or sheep. It was cheap and easily available, which meant that tallow candles were widely used. However, the smell of the manufacturing process was so unpleasant that it was banned in several European cities.
Beeswax was the preferred substance for candles without an unpleasant odour, but its use was restricted to the wealthy and for churches and royal events due to its expense. Beeswax was a byproduct of honey collection and was collected after honey had been extracted, then purified by boiling it in seawater.
To make candles, chandlers—or candle makers—would dip wicks repeatedly in molten fat or wax until the candle reached the desired size. Alternatively, they would build the candle by hand by rolling soft wax around a wick, or pour fat or wax onto a wick to build up the candle.
Before the invention of matchsticks, candles were lit by transferring a flame from a cooking fire or hearth fire, or by using a taper—a thin piece of wood, rush, or fibre—lit from a main fire.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1700s, candles were lit using a variety of methods, including:
- Thin pieces of wood, rush, or fibre, also known as tapers or spills, that were lit from a central fire or hearth and then used to light candles.
- Flint and steel, by striking sparks into tinder or hemp.
- Bow and drill, by spinning a stick to create friction and light tinder.
No, other sources of light included fires in fireplaces and the occasional oil lamp.
Yes, candles were expensive, so few were lit at one time. Wealthy households possessed only about 5 candlesticks on average, while poor households were lucky to have more than one.
Chamber sticks, or candlesticks with handles, were commonly used to light the way to bed. Enclosed lanterns made of metal or glass were used both indoors and outdoors. Glass shades, or hurricanes, were also used to protect candles from drafts.
Candles were typically made of beeswax or tallow, with wicks made of cotton, hemp, or milkweed fibres.
