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FRIDAY MARCH 4, 2022 • VOL. 52, NO. 9
19th-Century Red Earthenware Candle Molds Manufactured In Southeastern Pennsylvania And Western New York By Justin W. Thomas
hanging wires. This style of a group of candle molds set inside a woodCandle making, as we know it, en frame was also manufactured began in the 13th century in Europe, with tin molds in America during although by the turn of the 18th this period. The Alvin Wilcox Pottery century, itinerant chandlers travCandle Molds eled from town to town making Alvin Wilcox was among a group dipped tapers for wealthier townsfolk, while those of lesser means of red earthenware potters usually dipped their own candles. employed in western New York in Multiple wicks would be tied on a the 1800s. He established his busistick so that several candles could ness in West Bloomfield about 1825, be dipped in hot wax at a time. Then operating it continuously until near each stick was hung to cool. This 1862, the year he died. The site of the Wilcox Pottery process was repeated until the candles were thick enough to burn. was excavated in the 1970s by Candles were stored by hanging archaeologists from the Rochester them from ceiling beams. Hand Museum and Science Center; they dipped candles were often used for unearthed a wide variety of artispecial occasions and even treated facts, ranging from sherds, kiln as a commodity, where some gener- furniture, wasters and the remains al store owners were willing to of candle molds, where some were trade goods, other necessities and marked and others unmarked. According to the archaeology even sometimes cash for them. Among the first known docu- report, many of the artifacts mented use of molds for candle recovered dated from the mid19th century period. The glazes from this pottery were often spectacular with a combination of vibrant colors; in fact, some of the bright glaze colors resemble wares made in places like northern New England and Ontario, Canada, but there were also subtle colThe site of Enos Smedley’s Pottery in Chester ors produced, County, Pa. A row of houses was built at the site of anything from the pottery. mustard to black and brown making was in 15th century Paris, to a deep red rust color. Prior to 1850, Wilcox is believed but molds were not widely used in the United States until the mid-19th to have made bowls, crocks, storage century. The most common molds jars, milk pans, beakers, drain tile, were made from tin (and some- jugs, flasks, porringers, roofing tile, times pewter); however, some pot- lidded storage jars, flowerpots, ters also manufactured red earth- flowerpot trays, candlesticks, canenware candle molds, where the dle molds, and food molds, among best-known examples today were other forms. But based on advertisproduced at the Alvin Wilcox (1801- ing, it appears Wilcox’s business 62) Pottery in West Bloomfield, model may have altered as early as Ontario County, N.Y. But a nearly the late 1840s and early 1850s to the identical style of mold was also manufacture of drain pipe, candle produced in southeastern molds and other molded wares. The Pennsylvania at the Enos Smedley earliest information that I have (1805-92) Pottery in Chester been able to gather about this type County, Pa. The molds from each of production is found in an adverbusiness are very similar in shape, tisement from Nov. 1, 1849. size, and glazed interior, as well as According to the ad: “The subscriber the same type of wooden frame, is prepared to furnish horse-shoe square nails, bootjack ends and Drain Tile of superior make and
Pairpoint Lamp Brings $8,800 The George Miller IV Auction Co. held a multi-consignor winter estate sale on Jan. 29, highlighted by the sale of a Pairpoint Puffy Grape Lamp that brought $8,800. It was manufactured in New Bedford, Mass., ca. 1920. Since its original purchase, the lamp has remained with the same family until the auction and came from a Fleetwood, Pa., estate. “The family had referred to it as the family ugly lamp when passed along from family member to family member,” commmented George Miller. To learn more, call George Miller at 610-944-0926.
Here are 12 19th-century red earthenware candle tube molds with a pine frame made by Alvin Wilcox (1801-62) in West Bloomfield, N.Y., likely ca. 1840s to 1850s. Each tube is marked “A. Wilcox.” Photo courtesy Antiques Associates at West Townsend and Gene Pratt. material. Also, Drain Pipe and Candle Moulds. The tiles are warranted not to slack for one year, which will test their durability. Price of horse-shoe Tile. $15 per thousand, or two shillings per rod. Flats $7.50 per thousand or one shilling per rod. All orders will receive prompt attention. Addres or apply to: Alvin Wilcox, West Bloomfield, New York.” The known candle molds made at the Wilcox Pottery range from
becoming a Mormon in 1832, he lived in Mendon working as a carpenter and taking part in other homely tasks. The Wilcox Pottery was located about seven miles to the south of Young’s home. Upon Wilcox’s death in 1862, his probate inventory included, “1 peddler’s wagon, $20.00; 1 lot of shop boards (drying boards), $5.00; 1 tile machine with fixtures, $8.00, 1 lot of round 10-inch tiles, $2.00; 20 sets of candle molds (clay tubes, their inter i o r s glazed, set into a wooden frame), $10.00; 1 lot of candle molds (individThis is an advertisement from Alvin Wilcox in West ual clay Bloomfield, N.Y., showing candle molds were among the t u b e s ) , $2.00; 1 wares made by his company, dated Nov. 1, 1849. peddler’s b o x , possibly single sized individual $1.50; 1 clay mill (pug mill), $10.00, 1 tubes to groups inserted into a tile press, $2.00; 1 glazing mill, $1.00; wooden frame, including sets of 12, 2 clay turning lathes (potter’s 18 and 24 tubes. Some of the better wheels), $4.00; 2 kilns for burning surviving examples are stamped on tile and red earthenware, $40.00; each tube “A. Wilcox.” and 1 drying frame, $3.00.” The Enos Smedley & Company Interestingly, a single tube that Candle Molds was most likely manufactured at the Wilcox Pottery was recovered in Enos Smedley learned the pot1972 by New York historian Sheldon ter’s trade from Aaron James Fisher (1907-2002) on property (d. ca. 1822), a neighbor in owned by Brigham Young (1801-77) Westtown, Pa., being his last Continued on page 7 in Mendon, N.Y. Prior to Young
Antiques At The Barn Pop-Up Show Returns One-Day Outdoor Event Set For June 11 The Antiques at the Barn PopUp Show will be a one-day outdoor antiques show on Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Twelve quality antiques dealers will be set up on the grounds of the Brickerville Antiques Barn, located at 2 E. 28th Division Highway, Lititz, Pa. (the intersection of routes 501 and 322 behind the Brickerville Family Restaurant). The event will Continued on page 2
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . starting on page 2 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 5 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 6 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . starting on page 7 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 7
FEATURE RESULTS: Bruneau & Co. Auctioneer’s January 6 Auction - Page 2
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . .on page 11