Watch How Swazi Candles are Made

Swazi Candle Making

The Art of Swazi Handmade Candles

The highly decorative Swazi Candles are handmade in the small African Kingdom of Swaziland using the age-old technique "millefiore".

The Art of Millefiore

Millefiore, or "thousand flowers", first surfaced in ancient Alexandria, but was perfected in the great glass making 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.

On the African coast, these Venetian trade beads were used as a form of currency to barter for gold and ivory. So popular did they prove that the North and West Africans came to make their own variation. Thus was born the African trade bead, rare and sought-after by collectors to this day.

An Ancient Craft Continues

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 colorful 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.*

Unigue Hand Crafted Quality

Each Swazi Candle is hand-molded and hand-finished by Swazi craftspeople, so each candle is unique in shape and character.

The candle makers model a wide range of sizes and shapes, and even the smallest is molded with great attention to detail. Shapes and veneers vary from the more traditional to the entirely original, inspired by the patterns, colors and animals of Africa.

Africa: Continent of Economic Oppertunities

Taken from "Africa: Continent of Economic Opportunities" - Proposed second book by Dave Fick

Swazi Candles bring the light of Africa to the world

Situated in the Malkerns Valley in the Kingdom of Swaziland, Swazi Candles has been producing fine handmade candles since 1981. Their artists and craftsmen produce unique candle designs, which are renowned throughout the world.

African trade beads, tiny colorful, intricately patterned pieces of art, were once the wealth of Africa, used as money for buying gold and ivory and other valuables centuries ago. Now expensive collector's items, these beads are no longer in circulation. In the Kingdom of Swaziland creative remnants of the beads are being molded out of wax and are casting colorful rays of African-inspired light to the world through Swazi made candles.

Swazi Candles, a company specializing in candle crafts in the form of African wildlife, birds and stunning balls and columns of unique candles, is carrying on an African tradition in a unique form. A line of Swaziland candles called "strata" is a creative line of layered patterns in wax that will warm up any room in the winter. They do what's home grown. The artistic team creates a new candle pattern every week. All designs are inspired from Africa, a bit of African sunshine, in candlelight. Jerry Mabuza, sitting at his worktable, his chest bare and dressed in animal skins and feathers, is proud of his African culture and craft. In his expert hands a block of warm, molten wax becomes an elegant elephant within minutes. Smiling at his own handiwork, Mabuza says that it is in his blood.

The multi-layered technique of millefiore, or "thousand flowers" is adapted from the ancient Egyptians in Alexandria who created glass beads and other artistic creations. Mabuza forms his elephants from a block of white wax and then molds a colored, patterned hard wax veneer on top by folding the colored wax squares around the original creation, melding it into one and cooling it off in a bucket of water. The result is a hard outer shell of the candle, which hardly melts when the candle is lit and creates a mystical glow as the inner wax burns down leaving the outer layer intact.

Hand-crafted quality and dedicated staff

Tony Marshak, the founder of the innovative craft shop, says that although there are Chinese imitations of Swazi Candles made cheaper by machines, there is no substitute for the human touch. With pride, everything is handmade and hand finished. "If you've got a good product, and you treat your staff well, you can't go wrong," says Tony.

Visitors can see the artisans at work at the Swazi Candles workshop and buy their creations in the storefront shop. There is also a tea garden where one can sit back, relax, have a light lunch and admire the African light sealed in wax.

Find more at Entrepreneurship in Africa: A Study of Successes by Dave Fick

*Except small animal and church candles.