London 1911, Sterling Silver, Wax Jack, Chamberstick , Harrison Brothers & Howson

Very interesting desk item baptised Wax Jack" by the English in the eighteenth century. The wax jack was a container or stand holding a wick, treated with wax or turpentine, lit to heat the block of sealing wax used to seal letters and documents. Usually a personal seal with a design cut into the bottom was pressed into the hot wax to leave a personal identification. Once the seal had hardened, it was almost impossible to secretly open the letter, as the wax would break. The candlestick for the wax was a common item for a desk writing set, along with the inkwell, sand container etc. Sometimes these candlesticks also called "cellar rats" were used as a portable lamp, perhaps because they were more stable than the conical sticks, were less easily extinguished and gave a better light. Our example dates from 1911 and is therefore more of a nostalgic object from a time already gone by at the time of its manufacture and was probably more intended for a smoking room to light a large cigar or for a wine cellar to illuminate the dusty labels of fine wines. It is made of solid sterling silver (925%) and was made in the London workshops of the Harrisson brothers. It still has its original small snuffer.