A 2026 Guide by Sellingantiques
Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Candlesticks, Victorian
Priced at £285 from John Hubbard Antiques
Early antique silver candlesticks didn't always have complex shapes, usually following simple baluster forms during the late seventeenth century.
Demand surged across Britain as domestic dining habits shifted towards evening meals.
By the Georgian period, wealthy households required dozens of these fixtures to light large reception rooms adequately.
Look for shifting stylistic trends mirroring architecture. Neoclassical columns replaced earlier rococo shells as tastes changed toward the end of the eighteenth century.
Most families relied on brass or base metals. Silver versions remained a clear signal of serious domestic wealth.
Matthew Boulton led the Birmingham trade during the late eighteenth century. His factory produced countless sets of neoclassical columns.
London silversmiths like Ebenezer Coker specialised heavily in cast antique silver candlesticks throughout the mid Georgian decades.
Focus on regional assay offices too. Sheffield makers developed advanced die-stamping techniques to form thin sheet silver efficiently.
Antique Pair Lsilver Plated Candlesticks by Elkinton & Co C1920, 1920
Priced at £525 from Regent Antiques
The 2026 retail price guide for Antique Silver Candlesticks is drawn from a proprietary archive of over 1.1 million retail prices indexed by Sellingantiques since 2003. This guide relies exclusively on their own internal data; no external sources or auction records are used.
Analysing nearly 25 years of UK antique market history alongside current retail values, the data indicates that typical UK retail prices for Antique Silver Candlesticks range between £300 and £2,800. Entry-level prices generally fall under £300 and premium examples upwards of £2,800.
Removable sconces sit at the top to catch dripping wax before it hits the table. They make cleaning significantly easier for domestic staff.
A broad base spreads the weight. Usually square step designs or wide circular sweeps.
Hallmarks generally appear near the bottom edge. Sometimes you'll find matching partial marks struck on the detachable nozzles.
Pair of Antique Edwardian Quality Sheffield Silver Plated Candlesticks, 1900
Priced at £585 from London City Antiques
Casting was the standard method early on. Silversmiths poured molten alloy into moulds and soldered the solid sections together.
Die-stamping revolutionised production in Sheffield. Factories pressed thin sheets into steel dies to create matching halves.
Seams became common on stamped versions. You can sometimes spot the vertical join line running down the stem.
"Many large houses kept separate sets for different rooms. Plain designs suited the bedrooms while ornate versions graced the dining table."
"Engraved family crests let guests know exactly whose table they sat at. These additions personalise the silver."
"Craftsmen often numbered the removable sconces to match specific bases. This ensured the parts fit together properly after cleaning."
Based on almost 25 years of Sellingantiques UK antique market data, Antique Silver Candlesticks appeared 2489 times (out of 1,100,000 antiques) which gives it a rarity score of 61/100.
This score measures scarcity within the Sellingantiques archive only and is not a survey of the entire antiques market, so these statistics may not be indicative of the general availability of Antique Silver Candlesticks elsewhere.
Wash them in warm soapy water first to remove surface dust. Dry with a soft cotton cloth.
Use a dedicated silver polish sparingly. Apply it with a sponge, rub lightly, and buff away the residue before it dries.
The felt protects your polished furniture. Heavy metal bases scratch dining tables when dragged across the surface.
It also covers the internal filling. Without the baize, that rough pitch sits directly on the wood.
Yes, a professional silversmith can usually correct a lean. They need to assess if the metal stretched or if the internal weighted core shifted over time.
Hollow stamped columns are fragile. Don't try to bend them back yourself. The thin silver skin splits easily under pressure.
Not necessarily. Removable drip pans often carry only partial hallmarks, like the lion passant or a maker mark. They rarely show the full set found on the base.
Check that the maker and date letters match if they are present. Owners frequently mixed up loose parts during cleaning. Finding original matched bases and sconces is less common as a result.
Please note: This Antique Silver Candlesticks guide and its associated pricing data are provided for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute formal financial, investment, or appraisal advice and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any commercial activity, purchasing, or sales decisions. Sellingantiques.co.uk accepts no liability for any actions taken in reliance on this information. Always consult with a qualified professional or independent appraiser.
