What-is-it question XCVII.

[2209patrick]

This British item is close plated and dates to 1760-1800.
It is 9.5 inches (24.13 cm.) long.
What was it used for?



Pat.
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[Hose_dk]

looks like at pair of scissors for candlelights
On now I have trouble with the correct words in english.

You use the scissor for cutting the candle in this case a candle hanging from a chandeleer- in a church?

oh those unfamiliar words :-(
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[2209patrick]

Hello Hose_dk.

Your English is fine and you're correct.

It is called a "snuffer". This term is often misunderstood and misused.
Many people think snuffers were used for putting candles out.
Actually, their purpose was simply to trim the wick, although the candle was sometimes extinguished by accident.

Snuffers are more often made to resemble scissors.
This style of snuffer was used when the candle was protected from drafts by a tall glass tube such as the hurricane shade.

Pat.
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[Hose_dk]

"snuffer"
trim the wick,

Snuffer I could not spell
and trim the wick was the frace I was looking for.

I have some 20 or 30 of these all of them the traditional look and all of them in brass. No silver yet but one day.....
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