Small votive candle holder with latticed lid and bronze accent ring, in robin’s egg blue porcelain.
The Antiquary's Story:
The word “votive” is derived from the Latin word “votivus” or “votum,”“ meaning "of or pertaining to a vow, promised by a vow, conforming to one's wishes.”
As early as 500BC, early Romans began candle making with dipped tallow. They eventually were able to harness the power of oil to create lamps which served as their main source of lighting.
Candles — or votives — still had a role though, and served as offerings during the Roman winter feast of Saturnalia where candles called cerei were common gifts to signify light returning after the solstice.