LIGHTS DIM AND BRIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 20053, 19 December 1928, Page 11

LIGHTS DIM AND BRIGHT

Originally, one reads, candlesticks wore made from bark, tendrils of vines, or wood tied together, dipped in tallow, or poured, in the case of wax, and held in the hand (says a writer in the Melbourne ‘Age’). In Pans in the thirteenth century candle-makers went from house to house to supply the needs of the householders with their wares of tallow. Candles formed of wax were used in churches in tho Middle Ages. After tho fifteenth century this substance became less expensive, and was men generally used in the place of the not-altogether-saiis- ' factory tallow. * During or before the fourteenth century the cup was invented to catch the grease. One wonders if a woman, driven to despair by tin countless spots alighting on her furniture, or a man, weaned by complaints fashioned the sensible device Tho forms and decorations of candlesticks have undergone changes Severity of outline and simplicity of ornamentation banished elaborate presentations of animals, cupids, and the gods of mytheology ’The antique collector of this j age eagerly web omes the chance to acquire the silver candlestick with the broad base and tall stem of the Georgian period. Some of the most gifted men and fairest ladies immortalised in English literature have dined in chambers lit b- softly-dif-fused lights from massive candlesticks. The enamel, wind is the acme of severity in form, the fine china, ihe tall-stemmed crystal candlesticks, and the cream and brown pottery ware (with inscriptions such as “Many are called, bat few get up”) are brought lorti; when the electric light fails. From candiesiiCUa thoughts turn to lamps. Moses was commanded to make a candlestick for the Taber- • nacle. In this instance the word candlestick means a lamp stand This exquisite work made of pure beaten gold with bowls to represent the fruit and delicate traceries outlining the blossoms of the almond tree consisted of a central stem, from which three branches rose to the same height on each side.

In Solomon’s day this heirloom of ( the Jews was placed <n tin temple. | After the Romans hod conquered ! Jerusalem tho candlestick was taken 'by them to the City of the Seven 1 Hills, hi Rome the design of tho I candlesticks was extensively copied, i but in the case o. the reproduction j placed on the Ar< !i of Titus the figures on the base are Roman Lamps taken ; from graves in Palestine which were I placed there before the Israelites took ; possession cl that country showed clearly Ihe steps *o fell*- perfected articles. ' The earliest day lamps were open, j with rounded bases and portions of I the rims pinched to hole the wicks. : The next improvements were the addi- ; tion ol spouts made ny drawing tho j extreme ends closely toegther. Lamps ; witli flattened bases an 1 sinulai in ’ shape to the foregoing articles are used in Syria to-<la\ Closed lamps en- . tirely plain in shape and bare of ornai mentation were known before the pointers began to model the clay used for ! these conveniences into shapes of birds I or animals

In the homes of the poorm class in Palestine the lamps were placed in niches in the walls. One gathers from tins that among; tlw wealthy members of the community stands for lamps were not unknown Excavations in the Island of Crete have revealed the existence of lamp stands maclt of stone, which were 30in in height. Lamps were known to be in constant use in the fourth century in Greece. They wore made of terra-cotta, with a nozzle to hold the wick in the centre, a hole down which the oil was poured, and a handle. Lamps fashioned of metals were commonly used for religious rites by the ancient races. A lamp of gold on tho Acropolis of Athens, refilled once a year, at the same time served as a means by which the flight of days could be reckoned. In front of the statue of the god Hermes was placed a marble altar, to which lamps of bronze were attached. The suppliant approached at eventide, lit the lamps, placed a coin in the right hand of the statue, whispered his request in the ear of the god, and closed his own tars The first sound that was heard outside was an omen. One wonders how one would interpret the babble .of sounds heard in a modern city if that procedure were followed to-day. Lamps wore frequently given for birthday presents in Greece. Even in this age one feels drawn to present a gift that would lighten the hours of darkness for a friend. The; children of to-day miss the touch of romance lent to a tea-table by the painted lamp globes which depicted quaintly-coloured scenes of rural life.