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New Netherland, New York Genealogy
Obsolete Occupations of the Netherlands
© Cor Snabel
Candle maker (kaarsenmaker)
Even the Romans used tallow- and wax candles and they called
it “candelae”, which is the origin of the word candle. The
Anglo-Saxon King Alfred the Great (849-894) had candles made
of beeswax, which could measure the time; six candles burned
for exactly 24 hours. Originally candles were used to honour
the Gods and not for illumination. Before the Reformation
the castle-church of Wittenberg used 35,750 pounds of
candles each year. Due to the prices of candles people
started to use them for illumination purposes only much
later, until then they used torches.
The candles made of beeswax were used in the churches, but
the common man only had the ones made of animal fat, which
produced a lot of smoke and an unpleasant smell. The wick of
these cheap candles charred while burning and had to be
shortened all the time in order to avoid soot and smoke. The
use of the twined cotton wick was a tremendous improvement.
The manufacturing of candles was a craft of patience; the
candles were made by attaching twined flax spaced evenly on
a long stick, dipping it into melted wax or grease and let
it drip down and dry. This process had to be repeated until
the candles had their required thickness. However not all
candles were made this way, for the large ones forms were
used, which were filled with melted wax. In theatres large
trays full of wax were used with at least 160 burning wicks.
It is obvious that this led to dangerous situations.
If you want to see a picture of the candle maker, go to:
http://www.geneaknowhow.net/in/beroepen/luyken/kaarsemaker.html
>Choose from the following ancient occupations
Baker |
Beachcomber |
Beguine |
Candlemaker |
Dumpman |
Executioner |
Fanmaker |
Fireman |
Gravedigger |
Innkeeper |
Laundrywoman |
Nightwatch |
Peddlar |
Porter |
Seat Caretaker |
Ship Shanghai |
Soapmaker |
Streetpaver |
Tolltaker |
Pharmacist
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