Candle snuffer, scissor snuffer

Instead of simply blowing out candles, people often used snuffers. This pair of 'scissor' snuffers works by pinching the wick to put out the flame. They are made from copper alloy and are inlaid with white and black enamel. Such a decorative pair would have belonged to someone quite wealthy.

In an age before electrical light, candles made from beeswax or tallow, or rushlights were the most common form of lighting. Flaming torches and lanterns were used in the street. After the Great Fire people were banned from putting combustible materials (oil, hemp, pitch, wax, gunpowder, resin etc.) in cellars or warehouses next to the street in case the street lights set them on fire.