It’s the end of the night and the party is drawing to a close. As your guests leave, you begin gathering up the plates, washing the dishes and blowing out the candles that perch so neatly on the table. But lo and behold, you puff a bit too zealously, and piping hot wax spatters across your best table linen. Another hour gone trying to scrub off the now-hardened splodges before turning in for the night.
Using a candle snuffer will help you avoid making a mess. The handy tool extinguishes smaller flames, reducing wax, smoke and soot emissions. Not only is this the more hygienic method of blowing out a candle, but it’s also the most practical way to ensure a swift, clean snuff.
It’s fair to say that a candle snuffer doesn't top the list of homeware essentials. It’s more of an antiquated accessory that happens to be functional. But you can’t deny the Dickensian feel of the item. Opt for a rustic design and you might as well be in Oliver Twist or Jane Eyre. In the latter half of the novel, Charlotte Bronte’s protagonist blissfully notes: “So I snuffed the candle and resumed the perusal of Marmion". Read on to enter your Victorian era.
Candle snuffers were the subject of attention for Dutch still-life painters. Harken back to the 17th century and you’ll uncover works by Dutch Golden Age artists such as Pieter Gerritsz van Roestraten and Pieter Claesz depicting candles, wicker trimmers and, you guessed it, candle snuffers.
The ornaments had a surprisingly macabre meaning during this period. Still life paintings, or vanitas, signified the transience of life. Motifs such as skulls were used as a reminder of fate, whereas hourglasses and extinguished flames alluded to the ephemeral nature of time. Candle snuffers quite literally extinguished the flame, meaning they represented the extinguishing of life.
Thankfully, we’re not quite as superstitious as we once were. Candle snuffers are a storied object, but they are also pretty collectables. Looking for a unique wedding gift for a loved one? You know what to search for.
Read on to discover the best candle snuffers to extinguish any flame with excellence.
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Rowen & Wren Winkie Candle Snuffer
Keep it classic with Rowen & Wren’s antique-style candle snuffer. Elegantly place on a side table for all your extinguishing needs. The piece is crafted from brass, making for a sophisticated tool for gently extinguishing candles without a spill or burn.
Buy now £16.00, Rowen & Wren
Trudon L'Eteignoir Brass Candle Snuffer
Shop to suit your modern interior. Trudon’s stylised snuffer is a subtle addition to the contemporary home. A fine golden handle culminates in a white sculpted head to dampen small flames.
Buy now £35.00, Matches
Dior Candle Snuffer
Dior offers up a taste of luxury with its minimalist piece. A geometric silver handle is attached to a rounded top, designed to reduce the amount of smoke produced when extinguishing candles.
Buy now £32.00, Dior
Diptyque Gold Snuffer
Savour your cherished Diptyque candle with the brand’s sleek golden accessory. The item has been expertly crafted by the Diptyque team, who want the user to experience the most soothing olfactory experience possible.
Buy now £31.00, Diptyque
Sophie MacBain Gold Pineapple Candle Snuffer
Rustic colourways meet Gen Z motifs in Sophie MacBain’s tropical creation. A classic handle leads to a cute pineapple top that neatly coats and extinguishes candles with ease.
Buy now £18.99, NOTHS
Kindred Fires Wick Trimmer & Snuffer Set
Available in opulent gold or cool black, Kindred Fires’ Wick Trimmer and Snuffer Set does it all. Keep your candles in tip-top shape and ensure minimal wax drippage after every use.
Buy now £14.00, Kindred Fires
fern LIVING Twist Candle Snuffer
Brassy and classy, this rendition makes snuffing out candles a serene ritual. It serves as a decorative ornament for guests to admire or makes a special gift for those with a penchant for candles.
Buy now £24.95, Finnish Deisgn Shop
Alessi Bzzz Candle Snuffer
Another twee pick for the animal lover, this bumblebee-shaped creation will snuff candles safely and tidily. Ensure the wick remains free of damage so you can burn your favourite candles for longer.
Buy now £30.00, Heals
Maison Margiela Silver Replica Candle Snuffer
If your dream home is a minimalist East London apartment adorned with glossy art books and mid-century furniture, then Margiela’s candle snuffer is for you. Engraved with the house’s insignia, the silver snuffer is the ultimate hype homeware piece.
Buy now £50.00, SSENSE
