B efore the invention of moveable framed hives in 1851, bees were kept in a variety of containers including clay pots, hollow logs, and wooden boxes. However, one of the most common  hives was the straw skep, especially in Great Britain. Most recognized as being a "beehive" the skep is almost never used in modern times except as a novelty. Because they were typically made of coiled straw "ropes" and were vulnerable to the elements, skeps were usually kept under some type of roof or overhang.
Although an efficient hive, the colony was often destroyed when harvesting the honey and wax. However, since the straw skep is universally recognized as a symbol of industry, as a Christian symbol, and as a general symbol of beekeeping, we wanted to continue the tradition.
T he largest of these beeswax beehive candles (skep candles, shown to the left) has a very long burn time and measures 4" in diameter at its base. This particular candle comes with an attractive, decorative honeybee stick pin.
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