1.The early name for a wall mounted bracket to hold candles and the means by which most rooms were lit pre-electricity. Today the term is used for any decorative wall mounted light fixture made to hold candles or electric fittings. Particularly for antique candle holders, conversions and reproductions or copied types of an earlier bracket design.
2. Also used for those flat saucer style candle holders with a handle – we used to call the ‘wee willy winkie’ lights when we were small, because in the nursery rhyme illustrations this is the type of lamp Wee Willie Winkie carries. I can remember the time before mains electricity came to our Exmoor farm. My grandparents left these candle holders on the landings at night, so that anyone making their way to the bathroom or to the kitchen for wintertime morning tea could pick them up carry them with them to light their way.