what kind of wood is my torchere?

Most eighteenth-century English stands are mahogany or walnut. Mahogany became the standard choice because its tight grain took crisp carving well without splitting along the edges. Provincial pieces often use locally sourced oak or fruitwood. Grander giltwood examples usually rely on softer woods like pine as a base. Pine accepted the thick gesso preparation much easier than hardwoods.

missing top gallery on antique torchere?

You'll often see stands where the raised edge is missing. Delicate pierced galleries were easily damaged by shifting candlesticks. Restoration is straightforward. A cabinetmaker can match the timber and turn a replacement to fit the groove.

I have inherited a tall wooden stand with three legs and I am wondering if it was meant to hold candles or if it is just a normal plant stand for a corner?

The distinction comes down to age and the top surface. True antique torcheres were built for lighting. If the piece dates to the eighteenth or early nineteenth century, it was almost certainly a candle stand. The Victorians later adopted the form for potted ferns. Check the top platform. A solid piece of fine timber with scorch marks points to lighting. A metal liner or severe water damage suggests it held plants.

My husband brought home a really tall dark wood torchere that has a wobbly base, so how can we fix the joints where the legs meet the bottom part of the pole without ruining the antique finish?

Wobbly tripod bases are a common issue. The legs attach to the central pillar using sliding dovetail joints. Over decades of changing humidity, hide glue dries out and the joint loosens. Don't use modern expanding glues or metal brackets. A restorer will knock the joint apart and clean the old residue. They then re-set it with traditional animal glue. This secures the stand without harming the finish.

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Antique Torcheres

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An antique torchere is a tall, slender ornamental stand topped with a small flat surface, originally designed to elevate a candelabrum or lamp and cast light across a room.