Wax jack

Status

On view

Label Text

In an age before email and telephones, long distance communication was conducted exclusively through letter writing. George Washington penned thousands over the course of his lifetime. To protect the private and professional interests contained therein, Washington fastened each with wax. He may have used this wax jack, a specialized candle holder designed to burn long coiled tapers that provided just enough heat to melt the sealing wax, throughout his adult life.

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Date1750-1800

Geography Probably made - England

Medium/TechniqueCopper alloy, wax, iron alloy, solder, flax

DimensionsOverall: 5 1/2 in. x 3 in. x 4 1/4 in. (13.97 cm x 7.62 cm x 10.8 cm)

Credit LinePurchased by the Friends of the Collection, 2004

Object numberW-4351

DescriptionSand cast brass wax jack, skim finished and polished. Consisting of a base with a pierced heart and line design. Affixed to the base is a handle, centered on the flared lip of the base, and a thin post at its center. Both elements are affixed by "peening", or hammering a head from their respective protruding metal shank inserted into a drilled hole at their desired location; the pierced design later fractured and the breaks and the terminuses of the post and handle were reinforced with solder. The post terminates in an integral washer and a threaded screw shank. Onto which fits a hinged pincer composed of two undulating arms that pivot on the shank, and extend to form a split bobeche and candle socket. The whole is secured by a teardrop finial screwed to the post. Wrapped around the base is a coiled wax taper that is threaded between the pincers to provide a controlled flame for melting sealing wax.
Published ReferencesLinda Hales, "For Mount Vernon, Investment Brings Return," The Washington Post (Washington, D.C.), 21 February 2004, 2 (C).

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