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Brass Taper Stick

Identifier:
1992.40.191
Description:
Ripley #259. Single-stem brass taperstick with square base. Cast in halves; knops and base worked by hand tools. Stem expanded in base connection. The two sections were placed together and adhered as though they had been welded. This early method of brazing was known as 'sweating.' In this taperstick, the lines are barely visible. The stem, being hollow, was inserted into the base and expanded in the opening until tight. NOTE: The taperstick, a sort of miniature candlestick, is much older than the chamberstick. It was used to melt sealing wax for letters, and also on tea tables to hold tapers burned for their scents rather than for practical purposes. For candles, costly English beeswax was used, giving a delightful fragrance.;Ripley amassed a significant collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century lighting devices which came to the Museum in 1991. Her collection encompasses a broad range of lighting technology, but specializes in English, American and Continental candle-powered devices. The collection augments the Public Museum’s already considerable holdings in this area, the earliest of where are oil lamps from Ancient Egypt, Babylon and Greece.;Donor purchased by mail from Mrs. Rupert Gentle, Dealer in Antiques, Wiltshire, England, arrived 1981-07-27..;Donor purchased by mail from Mrs. Rupert Gentle, Dealer in Antiques, Wiltshire, England, arrived 1981-07-27.. Donor purchased by mail from Mrs. Rupert Gentle, Dealer in Antiques, Wiltshire, England, arrived 1981-07-27..
Date:
1680 – 1720
Materials:
Brass
Dimensions:
6" h 3.5" w 3.5" d
Current Location Status:
In Storage
Source:
Gift Of Estate Of Ms. Laura May Ripley
Related Entity:
Estate of Laura May Ripley (donor)
​Laura May Ripley was a connoisseur and collector of fine and decorative arts. She amassed a significant collection of 17th, 18th and 19th century lighting devices through a lifetime of purchases from antique dealers and auctions. Her collection came to The Public Museum of Grand Rapids as a bequest in 1991. As president of the Collectors Club of Grand Rapids, Ms. Ripley set standards for research and documentation of collections and was a popular lecturer.