VOL. XXIII

T

HE solving of the lighting problem through the use of candles, to conserve both gas and electricity, has proved one of the most satisfactory methods among the many that we are constantly called upon to meet; for today it holds a prominent place in our rooms, as it is considered as much a part of the decorative scheme as the choice of wall papers and draperies. We had realized its value before government's decree, and had introduced the use of candlelight at our dinner-table, as the softening rays. that radiated from them were impressive. In addition to the single candle or groups of candles placed at either end of the table, the branch candlestick came into vogue as a center piece.

The prevailing tendency in modern lighting is to discard over-head illumination, depending entirely upon the table and wall features; but to obtain more brilliant effects, a chandelier, from a decorative point of view, has no equal. This is especially true concerning antiques of Italian workmanship, designed with garlands of rock crystal cut in rosettes, and introducing, here and there, gems whose bright colors sparkle in the sunlight, sending shafts of rainbow hues dancing across the walls and furnishings.

The ban on importation has caused many a designer to reproduce genuine antiques; but often he varies their decoration. The use of candles dates back to the days of ancient Rome; during the Elizabethan period they were in general use, and many of the candlesticks were made of hammered gold. Fortunate, indeed, is he who has, through inheritance, become the possessor of an old pair of

No. 5

lustres, which are bringing the highest market prices, both on account of their beauty and their rareness.

The choice of material in candlesticks is unlimited, as they are found in metal, wood, glass, pewter, or pottery, ranging in design from those suitable for the drawing room, to the charming little ones adaptable for nursery use. Then, too, the color must play an important part, as it is essential that they harmonize with the interior decorations. Let us choose the brass candlesticks, which were in evi

dence in our grandmother's day; heirlooms of their English ancestors, they are suitable for any room, but are much more desirable in the library, as they match the brass of the fender and fire-set, and lighten the dark tones of the paneled walls. While the majority of brass candlesticks are Colonial in design, there are many interesting specimens shown of the same material, reproductions of Polish workmanship, differing in type from the English ones in that they are much more ornamental and taller.

Lustre candlesticks are very fashionable today, coming in many colors; but the more recent ones are mulberry, blue and yellow glass, the latter being a reproduction in coloring of the old sandwich glass so rarely found. The shape, however, differs, for the square stems have been eliminated and replaced by slender supports in harmony with the period. This type is used extensively on dinnertables, as against the polished surface, they seemingly stand out like bits of brilliant jewelry.

On the mantle in great grandmother's kitchen stood rows of pewter, prominent among which were odd candlesticks. It was the delight of the children to be allowed to carry them to their chambers, and now, women grown, they are still hunting for similar pieces. In the reproductions they miss the mellow touches and the sheen of the antiques, but find the new fashions artistic in design, illustrating odd features, such as the tulip with the bloom of the flower forming the cup. Italy gives to us exquisite bits of soft, gray pewter, known as Majolica, or Tirralia, livened with red decorations, tall and slender, balanced with handles on either side, a charming foil for the yellow or cream pewter with twisted stand, both of which surpass the old designs in their uniqueness.

One is almost bewildered by the many types to select from, because every metal has been utilized for this purpose, even copper and tin have been decorated with dashing bits of color that lend a distinctive individuality.

How charming are the painted tin candlesticks, ranging from ivory white to odd shades of rose, blue, pink, and lavender, relieved by gayly-painted decorations, and their backs serving as a reflector, protecting the light from drafts, -particularly convenient for bedrooms, where, if one wishes to relieve the darkness of night, he can simply reverse it, thus eliminating the steady flow that would otherwise cause wakefulness. Diminutive designs of this same idea are shown in the children's lights, alluring the little ones through the transformation of the plain background into studies of nursery rhymes. Particularly novel. is the smiling Kewpie, who sportively holds his candle aloft. These delight the little ones to such an extent that they forget their great dislike for the Sandman's nightly visit.

Arts-and-crafts shops have modeled wonderful realistic emblems, some representing the symbolic, seven-branch, Greek candlestick, and these appear either glazed or unglazed, and are often enlivened with raised figures, painted scenery, oriental designs, and hunting scenes, the latter being admissible for a man's room.

The introduction of a lacquer candlestick often lightens an otherwise somber room, as they make charming mantle. decorations, and are admissible for the center-table, more particularly in living rooms, for many of them are so brilliant in tone that they create an essential color value. For the large hall or music room, torchères are coming into vogue, but they are in reality only a development of the oldtime candlestands, adapted to modernday use. Altar candles, on account of their size, are practical, as they shed a bright light, and why not embellish their bronze and wrought-iron stands with hand paintings. The wooden ones, decorative in themselves, do not need further adornment.

Decorative iron has recently increased

A PEWTER CANDLESTICK, A RARE SPECIMEN

for the reason that it retains its original form much longer than any other material. Twentieth century bits can be hammered out by an expert ironmaker, often equaling the delicacy and grace of an antique. They show a distinctive

maintained a distinctive place in fashion,

A LOG, SET IN A BRASS CANDLEHOLDER

It is not given me to spread the feast
Of viands rare and sumptuously fine
Rich fruits, musk-hearted, from the ancient East,
And crystal flagons, mellow-dark with wine;
Nor mine, from widely-open hand, to fling
The overflowings of a lavish store,

In lightly-given Yuletide offering,

To poor and needy ones who pass my door.

For Want, in dull and meager garb arrayed, Hath ofttimes hailed me, as a comrade may, And, entering my cottage, unafraid,

Hath sat beside my hearth on many a day. And from her I have gleaned a truth I hold That scores of those unfavored ones we see Are yearning, not for ready gift of gold,

But for companionship and sympathy.

That generously, largely, I may share

With some heart-hungry pilgrim of the earth
The wholesome bounty of my simple fare,
The tonic-draft of healthful Christmas mirth,
And, in the gem-entangled glory spun

By flaming cedar bough and blazing cone,
An hour of happiness may give to one
Who hath no ingle-corner of his own.

And this I pray: Oh, let me never know
The greed of hoarding for a selfish end
The homely blessings that I may bestow
On stranger-wayfarer or lonely friend
The loving-cup of kinship and of cheer,

The ungrudged welcome to my fireside;
So let me keep, dear Lord, for all the year,
The gracious spirit of the Christmastide.
- Harriet Whitney Symonds.