making large candles without modern techniques

[pozzuoli]

Hello,

I am working on a project on medieval candles. I need an expert’s opinion on candle-making! A modern candle-maker has modern resources such as rubbers and plastics. I need to know how someone would make a very large candle – specifically an Easter candle – without these materials. Some of the candles weighed 30 kg and were made entirely of beeswax. I am trying to figure out if they would have been made using a mold, or if they would have been made by shaping warmed wax by hand.

I know this is a bizarre inquiry but I also know that someone here may be able to help me. I would very much appreciate and thoughts on this.

[graywritingdog]

I don't know. Maybe sand casting? Look up sand casting and see if anything comes up.

[BruceCarvesWax]

I think they ordered molds from Pourette....

Im sure there were materials back then to make molds from. You could use wood with a hole drilled into it for a mold or any number of natural things. I could go out in my back yard, dig some red clay fire up a mold any shape I want it, pour wax into it, break or release the wax if it will come out on its own when it cools and there ya go. I dont think they would have used their hands to shape them, but sure, it can be done.. I just dont think thats what they did.

Bruce

[Wick'n'Wax]

Up until the 15th century, candles were dipped. A French inventor created wooden moulds in this timeframe.

[moonrose64]

Well if the medieval peeps lived by the ocean, they would probably use sand?:undecided

Like we do for our sand candles.

How bout just digging a hole in the ground too?

Would make for a dirty candle but....