Identify a movie prop desk accessory?

A friend showed me a still of the item in question - from the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart. At the 1:08:14 mark (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M432X...db_pa_dp&qid=1545320128&sr=1-1-acs&autoplay=1) or the 1:08:24 mark (), George (James Stewart) is talking to the banker at his desk and there is an object on the desk to the left of a metal(?) skull that has a candle, a small crucible like thing above the candle, a tapered object which is supported by a post that looks like Salvadore Dali designed with small end at the edge of the crucible. The large end of the taper seems to terminate at a taller object that looks like it could have been a chased silver knife handle which is atop some other structure. All of this seems to be on a metal tray. My friend showed me the picture on his phone as he knew that I would know what it was but, I don't and have no idea. Does anybody here have an idea what this thing might be? Thanks for any help!

 

Riiiiight...

I'm visualizing...

 

I'm not seeing a picture, but given the description of candle and crucible, I wonder if it might be for sealing wax.

 

I think it's a sealing wax setup

The skull's probably just there to intimidate - you'll notice when Stewart sits down, his eyes just clear the desk by design, I'm sure

slight exaggeration on my part

 

I tried copying video at that point - purely experimental.

Nope, didn't work :/

 

Thanks for the responses!
Easy enough to click on the movie link and use the slider to get to the right frame to see what I'm talking about.
Sealing wax, hadn't thought of that.

 

On my phone - not that easy Moving over to my computer, it does seem to have worked, but inconvenient banner on that screen shot.

Anyway, the vertical piece (on front right side of the tray) is the stamp with nice engraved sterling handle.

 

I forget that people use phones to access the net, sorry.
And that makes sense, a pot of melted sealing wax and a stamp. I'm curious as to what the tapered and supported object does. Maybe a dipper or pipette sort of thing to apply the wax to the document to be sealed?

 

I'm guessing it's this you're talking about

 

Here is a desk set with the same sort of set up.



http://www.bexfield.co.uk/14/p262.htm

 

Alcohol lamp,wax in metal bowl,spoon in wax to place hot wax on document and stamp with crystal shaft.

 

That is the object! I now see that the tapered part is a dipper or spoon handle.
Thank you all for the rapid ID!

 

HOW fun!

 

I've seen the movie umpteen times, and never before noticed that skull that shows in the still! Thanks for posting, s_i_s.

 

I like my story - but I'm sure it's from a fraternal order.