Silver candleholder and a pair of candle snuffers

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This silver candleholder and pair of candle snuffers were made by William Aytoun in Edinburgh in 1739-40. The candleholder would have been used in a library or for reading. The snuffers worked like scissors and would have snipped out the candle flame.

The polished plate at the back of the candleholder reflected light from the candles on to the book being read.

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• Online ID: 000-100-001-040-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEQ 1063.2
• Date: 1739 - 1740
  1739-40
  
• Material: Silver. Inscription: WA; [Edinburgh mark]
  Silver. Inscription: WA; [Edinburgh mark]; [date mark]
  Candleholder, library / candleholder, reading
  Snuffers, candle
  
• Dimensions: 143 mm L x 50 mm W
  492 mm H x 350 mm W
  
• What: Candleholder, library / candleholder, reading
  Snuffers, candle
  
• Subject: Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  Gold and silver (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: William Aytoun, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  William Aytoun, Edinburgh (Silversmith)
  
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Silver library or reading candleholder by William Aytoun, Edinburgh, 1739 - 1740
  Pair of silver candle snuffers of scissor shape, by William Aytoun, Edinburgh
  
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