How were the earliest domestic candlesticks made from wood and iron spikes?

The simplest form of domestic candlestick used during the Middle Ages consisted of a block of wood with an iron spike driven vertically into its top. To use this device, the lower end of a candle was impaled onto the spike, and the upper end was then lit.

Due to its utility and simple construction, this design remained in use until the early 19th century. Over time, the design evolved; some versions featured stems wrought into two spikes, while others included a circular tray attached to the top, which could hold several spikes. These spikes, often referred to as prickets, were also used in ecclesiastical settings, sometimes arranged in multiple tiers on rings or trays.1