Antique 19thC Copper 6 Tube Candle Mold Sheet Metal Primitive Hearth Americana

Details

Description

Offered for sale is a remarkably scarce 19th-century American 6-tube taper candle mold handcrafted entirely from heavy-gauge sheet copper with … Read more Offered for sale is a remarkably scarce 19th-century American 6-tube taper candle mold handcrafted entirely from heavy-gauge sheet copper with period solder construction. While standard 19th-century candle molds were mass-produced from inexpensive tinned iron, sheet copper molds are exceptional survivals, representing high-end coppersmithing or special-order artisan production.

Historical Provenance & Design Significance: This 19th-century 6-tube copper candle mold represents the convergence of utility and elevated metalwork in Early American domestic design. Departing from standard utilitarian tinware, this piece showcases the rich warmth and enduring durability of hand-worked sheet copper. Its architectural silhouette—defined by clean vertical lines, an open geometry, and a sweeping strap handle—bridges primitive folk art with mid-century organic minimalism.

Curator's Note: An extraordinary sculptural accent for high-end rustic, transitional, or country estate interiors. Displayed on a hearth mantel, open kitchen shelving, or a dining sideboard, its rich patinated copper finish provides an organic, tactile focal point. Designers can style it as a standalone sculptural object or pair it with dried botanical stems placed through the open taper tubes for a seasonal vignette.

Physical Characteristics & Design:
• Form: Classical 6-tube configuration arranged in a 2x3 grid, fitted with a rectangular top wax dam/pour tray designed to catch overflow during tallow or beeswax pouring.

• Base & Handle: Supported by a flared rectangular copper footed base that provides stability during the pouring process. Features a sturdy, hand-formed C-curved rolled copper strap handle soldered securely to the top tray edge and tube cluster.

• Construction: Tapered copper tubes with hand-formed tips at the base, assembled with heavy lead/tin solder joints at the top tray, tube junctions, and base plate.

• Surface & Finish: Displays a gorgeous, unpolished antique copper patina with warm reddish-orange tones, subtle oxidation, and expected verdigris wax residues within the tube interiors.

Item Specifics:
Age / Period: Circa 1840–1880 (19th Century)

Origin: United States (American Primitive / Hearth Metalware)

Material: Heavy Gauge Sheet Copper, Lead/Tin Solder Seams, Rolled Strap Handle

Overall Height: 9.5 inches

Top Width (Including Handle): 6.5 inches

Base Dimensions: Approx. 5.25 x 3.75 inches

Total Weight: 1 lb 3.4 oz (549 g)

Reference
Book Title: Early American Copper, Tin and Brass
Author: Henry J. Kauffman
Page / Reference: pp. 45–62 (Coppersmithing techniques, hearth tools, and rare sheet copper form fabrications). See less