2 Light Silver Candelabra
When you search for 2 light silver candelabra, you find paired branched lighting designed to hold two candles, bringing symmetry and soft illumination to a dining table or mantelpiece.
2 Light Silver Candelabra
A pair of 2 light silver candelabra consists of two matching branched candle holders designed to sit symmetrically across a room or dining table. Most examples on this page are matched pairs created to provide balanced illumination.
The selections span various periods from the nineteenth century through the mid twentieth century, encompassing Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco aesthetics. These pieces often feature removable branches, allowing the main support to function as a standalone candlestick.
Makers utilised silver plate, sterling silver, and electroplated nickel silver to construct these domestic objects. Forms range from restrained classical columns to ornate rococo revival designs with figural or foliate decoration.
How they were made
Makers constructed these pieces primarily using silver plate over a base metal like copper or brass, alongside solid sterling silver examples. Sheffield plate and electroplated nickel silver also appear frequently across the production dates.
Craftsmen cast decorative elements such as scroll arms, sconces, and bases separately before soldering or assembling them into the final form. Many items incorporate weighted bases filled with resin, pitch, or wood to provide stability for the branched structure.
Several designs incorporate mischievous cherubs and detailed mermaids holding the candle branches aloft.
What varies in quality
The crispness and depth of the chased or cast ornamentation separate standard production from superior work. Finely detailed foliate motifs, clean casting lines, and heavy metal weight indicate higher craftsmanship.
The condition of the silver coating determines visual consistency, where uniform plating without base metal bleeding through preserves the intended appearance. Maker marks from established silversmiths also add distinction to the piece.
Hawksworth Eyre·Garrard & Co·Matthew Boulton·Smith & Sissons & Co·Barker Ellis·Elkington
The 2 Light Silver Candelabra Glossary
- Candelabra
- A branched candle holder designed to support multiple candles from a single base. This form allows a pair to illuminate a large dining surface.
- Silver Plate
- A thin layer of silver bonded or electroplated to a base metal such as copper, brass, or nickel silver. This technique offered the appearance of solid silver at a lower cost.
- Sheffield Plate
- An early method of fusing a sheet of silver to a copper core by heat and pressure. Pieces made this way often show subtle copper undertones where wear occurs.
- EPNS
- Electroplated Nickel Silver, a common base material coated with a layer of silver via an electrical current. It provides a durable and bright surface for domestic metalware.
- Sconce
- A detachable cup or nozzle fitted at the top of a candle branch to catch melting wax. These pieces are often removable for cleaning.
2 Light Silver Candelabra: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean 2 light silver candelabra?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver polish formulated specifically for plated or sterling items. Avoid harsh scrubbing that might wear away thin plating on older pieces.
Take care around soldered joints and chased details where polish can accumulate. Rinse gently with warm water and dry immediately with a clean cotton cloth.
Are these candelabra suitable for everyday use?
Most examples function well for regular dining or entertaining if handled with reasonable care. Ensure wax is scraped away gently with warm water rather than metal tools.
Keep them away from direct heat sources and damp environments to protect the silver surface and weighted internal bases. Proper placement prevents accidental tipping during use.
How can I tell the period of a candelabra?
Examine the stylistic motifs, such as rococo scrolls, neoclassical columns, or geometric art deco lines, which align with specific eras. Maker marks and registration numbers stamped on the base also provide clues.
Weight distribution and construction methods, such as screw fittings or soldered joints, help distinguish nineteenth-century examples from later twentieth-century reproductions.
Can the branches be removed?
Many designs feature detachable arms that fit into a central socket on top of the main candlestick. This modular construction allowed owners to use the pieces either as single candlesticks or as multi-light candelabra.
Check the central fitting for a drop-in socket or a threaded screw mechanism before attempting to separate the components.