SWAZI CANDLES

A visit to Swazi Candles could start or end with a cup of tea or coffee with a slice of freshly home baked cake at the Sambane Tea Garden. The tea garden is conveniently located next to the shop.

For those who would want to get to Swazi Candles, this unique tourist attraction is situated in a farmhouse environment where Swazi craftsmen and women mould each candle to its unique and individual shape.

Unique to Africa, Swazi Candles began as a clever idea which has mushroomed into a thriving cottage industry. The outer shells are designed and manufactured then cut into manageable sizes and fashioned into shape by hand. Each vibrant colour is slowly moulded over the inner white wax and gradually the shape and look of each candle comes alive in the hands of the skilled craftsmen

The visitor may watch the entire process from the gentle softening of the two waxes, the deliberate moulding of each candle to the final trimming. The choice is wide and each candle maker copies form and shape from photos then instills his own character into the individual piece; amused bulls, sad tortoise, rather severe elephant and happy hippo, the range of expression is wide and varied.

The art of millefiore continues today in Swazi Candles. But instead of glass, the gifted candle makers of Swaziland use a special hard wax to create their colourful designs.

The hard wax veneer forms the outer shell of the candle, which hardly melts when the candle is lit. Hence the rich, romantic glow of the illuminated exterior as the candle burns, and the burn-again quality when refitted with the votive or tea candle.
The highly decorative Swazi Candles are hand-made in the Kingdom of Swaziland using the age-old technique "millefiore".

Millefiore, or "thousand flowers," first surfaced in ancient Alexandria, but was perfected in the great glassmaking cities of Murano and Venice. Glass beads and other objects created there were of such beauty and finesse that they became much sought-after and valuable artifacts.
Mini sizes do not burn in this manner, yet retain their intrinsic value as works of Swazi craft.
Our Candle makers model a wide range of sizes and shapes, and even the smallest is moulded with great attention to detail.

Shapes and veneers vary from the more traditional to the entirely original, inspired by the patterns, colours and animals of Africa.

Exciting innovations are introduced regularly to expand our already considerable range and ensure its quality. Our current range of 28 original veneer designs offers a wide a varied choice to enhance every mood and occasion with light from Africa.

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