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Word for the thing that's fixed on the wall and holds a (fire) torch in stories set in the distant past

English Language & Usage Asked on October 31, 2021

What do you call the thing that holds a torch? They’re used a lot in old movies. They’re fixed on walls and used for holding the fire (torch).

Here’s an image of what I’m talking about but it’s not quite the same as the one used for holding the torch:

The thing that holds torch/light

Here’s the torch I’m referring to:

enter image description here

What’s the name of the thing that is fixed on a wall and holds this torch?

3 Answers

As others have noted, sconce is more common, and more specifically referring to something holding a long piece of wood.

However, a cresset can also be used to hold a torch. But it more commonly holds either liquid flammables or pieces of loose wood or coals.

cresset

in American English

(ˈkrɛsɪt )

NOUN

a metal container for burning oil, wood, etc., fastened as to a pole or wall and used as a torch or lantern

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/cresset

Answered by Kirt on October 31, 2021

It's a sconce:

[Merriam-Webster]
1 : a bracket candlestick or group of candlesticks
also : an electric light fixture patterned on a candle sconce

Thanks to some comments, and after rereading the question, the second picture in the question is simply showing an example of torches that would have been pulled out of sconces in the wall.

Answered by Jason Bassford on October 31, 2021

It is called a sconce. Lexico says

sconce
NOUN

1 A candle holder that is attached to a wall with an ornamental bracket.

Here is a picture of one.

enter image description here

Image from pinterest.com

Answered by Weather Vane on October 31, 2021

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