No. 006 - Rat de Cave Candle Holder
Mid 17th Century
Iron, fruitwood
9 x 5.5 inches (23 x 14 cm)
Rat de Cave candle holders were used to light French Burgandy wine cellars in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Crafted in three parts, with the iron handle designed to be hung on the rim of a wine barrel from the length of the shaft, anchored in the fruitwood base, and an independent spiralling lifter that controls the height of the candle.
The name ‘rat de cave’ is said to have come from those that were tasked to run into the cellar - known as cellar rats, as well as the shape of the hook that resembles a rat’s tale, as rodents were prevalent in the cellars.
