This strange, but attractive, little silver contraption is a taper box. It is hallmarked 1790/1 and is in Chester's Grosvenor Museum.
A taper box held a loose coil of wax taper which emerged from the funnel in the centre of the cover. The lighted taper was used to melt a stick of sealing wax for sealing letters and documents.
This is beautiful........it has always baffled me.....why didn't they put a wick into the sealing wax stick. There must be a good reason.
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating. And how good to have you back, blogging regularly. You were sorely missed!
ReplyDeleteCanadian Chickadee
Thank you for the welcome back, Carol. I've missed blogging but there are times when life seems to get in the way.
ReplyDeleteA subject for a posting, I think, Adrian.