The main source of domestic light after sunset consisted of firepits or fireplaces. If that was not enough to light up paths or dwellings, cloth or tallow torches, oil lamps, lanterns, candlesticks or candles were used. Ceramic or metal oil lamps were bowl-shaped, sometimes with an ear-shaped handle. In them was a wick steeped in oil, later on supplemented with wax. In the richer homes there were chandeliers with candles hanging on chains from the ceiling. In villages there were simple lamps, burning tallow instead of vegetable oils, and torches made of split lumber. Tallow candles stank, smoked and dripped. They had to be constantly wiped and the tallow collected for reuse and therefore they were mounted on candlesticks with a bowl at the base.
In Central Europe in the Middle Ages beeswax was considered an extremely precious commodity, and also made its appearance as a means of exchange among guilds ('payment in wax').
The main source of domestic light after sunset consisted of firepits or fireplaces. If that was not enough to light up paths or dwellings, cloth or tallow torches, oil lamps, lanterns, candlesticks or candles were used. Ceramic or metal oil lamps were bowl-shaped, sometimes with an ear-shaped handle. In them was a wick steeped in oil, later on supplemented with wax. In the richer homes there were chandeliers with candles hanging on chains from the ceiling. In villages there were simple lamps, burning tallow instead of vegetable oils, and torches made of split lumber. Tallow candles stank, smoked and dripped. They had to be constantly wiped and the tallow collected for reuse and therefore they were mounted on candlesticks with a bowl at the base.
In Central Europe in the Middle Ages beeswax was considered an extremely precious commodity, and also made its appearance as a means of exchange among guilds ('payment in wax').