The item pictured is a brass chamberstick—a classic vintage piece primarily dating from the second half of the 20th century (the 1960s to the 1980s), though some designs appeared as early as the beginning of the 20th century, inspired by the Art Nouveau style. The concept of a low-profile candlestick with a wide base and a handle was originally developed for purely functional purposes in the pre-electric era. Such candlesticks were used to light the way from the living quarters to the bedroom (hence the name "chamberstick"). The wide base was designed to catch dripping wax while the user walked, and the handle allowed for a secure grip, protecting the user from burns caused by hot wax or the heated metal.