Antique! Iron Candle Wick Trimmer / Snuffer / Shears / Scissors! Collectible.

Antique! Iron Candle Wick Trimmer / Snuffer / Shears / Scissors! Collectible. Beautiful black iron with exquisite, ornate gold trim detail. Hand-painted. These scissor-like Candle Snuffers were used to shorten the wicks of candles. Snuffers, also known as wick trimmers and candle shearers, appeared in the late fifteenth century out of the need to trim the wicks of twisted cotton strands. The twisted wicks did not burn off and produced a large, smoking flame if not trimmed periodically. To snuff a candle means to trim the wick, not extinguish the flame. There are two hinged blades; one fitted with a box, which is a receptacle for the charred wick that has been cut off, the other, with a plate that is pressed into the box when the candle is snuffed. The pointed end of the snuffers was used to dig the wick out of the remaining wax. Amazing Collectible. Measurement in photos. Please Note some expected vintage wear on the piece. Overall good vintage condition.