Palm Wood Candle · Jasmine

A scented candle inside a round box made from sugar palm wood, the tree you see all over Cambodia's rice fields and one of the country's national symbols.

Chea makes the candles herself.

Jasmine is soft and floral, like a warm evening in Siem Reap. The shape has a long history. Round covered boxes with a small knob on the lid have been part of Khmer homes since the Angkor era. The fine stripes in the wood are the palm's fibers, so every box has its own grain.

Details & Care:

• Scent: jasmine
• Box: sugar palm wood, with lid
• Size: approx. 14 cm (5.5 in) diameter, approx. 5 cm (2 in) high without lid
• When the candle is gone, keep the box for rings, earrings or small things you want to keep close.
• Made by Chea, Siem Reap, Cambodia
• Wrapped in locally made handmade paper or banana leaf, depending on shape and availability
• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Place on a heat-resistant surface, away from anything flammable. Trim the wick to about 5 mm before lighting. Stop burning when about 1 cm of wax is left.
• Clean the wooden box with a soft, dry cloth. Don't soak it in water.

Want to know more? Search "Behind the Pieces" to find our journal and the stories from Cambodia.