Early candle making took a large leap when someone discovered the method of making a "tallow dip" with a wick running longitudinally through its center. The wick, a few threads of flax, hemp, or cotton, lightly twisted, was dipped in melted tallow and allowed to cool until the candle was the desired thickness.

During colonial times in this country, every housewife made a supply of candles in autumn. Candle rods, each with a row of wicks, were dipped repeatedly in big iron kettles of boiling water and melted tallow, which was an all-day backbreaking job. Neater results were obtained by pouring the tallow into pewter molds, which made from 6 to 24 candles.

Since early candles were made of tallow (animal fat) rather than wax, this made them more vulnerable to the elements such as heat and cold. Candle boxes were used primarily for storage and protection from hungry rodents.

The box is black cherry, which is found in the Eastern United States. Cherry has a close, firm texture, machines cleanly, and superior finishing qualities. The pale pinkish color, sometimes with greenish highlights when freshly cut, turns reddish brown with age and exposure to light. The bright red color of cherry production furniture is produced by dyeing.

The top is African padauk. Found in Nigeria, the Cameroons, and the Congos, African padauk is bright red in color, deepening in time to a very deep red. It is dense and heavy, coarse textured, with prominent open pores.

My version of the candle box follows the Shaker style with its simple box joints for the corners and raised panel sliding lid. The box measures 6 inches wide by 12 inches long by 6 1/2 inches tall. Besides storing candles, it can also be used to hold audio CDs.

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