Antique Figural Candle Holders
These antique figural candle holders combine sculptural human or animal forms with functional lighting, bringing dramatic period character to any mantelpiece.
Antique Figural Candle Holders
When you search for antique figural candle holders, you find sculptural lighting pieces that integrate human, animal, or mythological figures into candlesticks and candelabra. The selection spans centuries of craftsmanship, ranging from eighteenth-century porcelain figures to nineteenth-century bronze and spelter sculptures.
How they were made
Makers utilised traditional casting methods for metal pieces, pouring bronze, brass, or spelter into intricate moulds before applying gilt, ormolu, or cold-painted finishes. Porcelain examples involved hand-modelling soft or hard paste clay, layering delicate bocage foliage, and hand-painting polychrome details prior to high-temperature firing.
Carved wooden and marble elements provided stable bases and structural support for heavier metal or ceramic figures. Artisans assembled these multi-component items with threaded screws or pins, combining diverse materials such as onyx, silver plate, and enamel into cohesive sculptural groups.
Antique Figural Candle Holders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for figural candle holders among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Elegantly dressed porcelain dancers and aristocratic monkeys holding sconces prove that eighteenth-century mantelpieces loved theatrical performance just as much as we do.
What varies in quality
Original matching sets and untouched patination elevate a piece above examples with mismatched components or later surface touch-ups. The integration of the candle nozzle and drip pan into the overarching sculptural design indicates a higher level of original artistic intent.
Derby·Volkstedt·Sitzendorf·Chelsea·WMF·Royal Worcester Hadley
The Antique Figural Candle Holders Glossary
- Candelabra
- A branched lighting fixture holding multiple candles on a single base. These often feature elaborate figural shafts supporting symmetrical arms.
- Bocage
- A decorative background of clustered leaves and flowers made from porcelain. This technique commonly surrounds eighteenth-century figures in pastoral settings.
- Spelter
- A zinc alloy used as a less expensive alternative to bronze during the nineteenth century. Manufacturers frequently bronze or paint this metal to imitate richer materials.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze produced through a mercury amalgamation process. This finish provides a warm, durable gold colour characteristic of high-end French decorative arts.
- Socle
- A short plinth or pedestal supporting a bust, figure, or candlestick base. It elevates the primary sculpture to give it visual stability and presence.
Antique Figural Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
Were these pieces meant for daily use?
Many figural candle holders served as decorative garniture for formal reception rooms rather than routine household lighting. Their intricate forms and delicate materials meant they functioned primarily as ornamental status symbols during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
When owners did light the candles, they had to monitor the open flame closely to prevent wax dripping onto the painted porcelain or gilded bronze surfaces. This careful usage is why many surviving antique examples retain much of their original surface finish.
How can I tell bronze from spelter?
Bronze objects feel noticeably heavier and cooler to the touch than spelter pieces of a similar size. Examining any areas where the surface finish has worn away reveals a reddish-brown metal underneath for bronze, whereas spelter shows a dull greyish colour.
Spelter is also a softer metal that bends more easily under pressure, making crisp, sharp details harder to maintain over time. Bronze components display much crisper casting lines and more durable structural integrity.
What is the difference between a candlestick and a candelabra?
A candlestick is a single upright shaft designed to hold one candle at its upper terminal. They often feature simple or figural stems mounted on circular or square bases.
A candelabra incorporates multiple branching arms radiating from a central stem to support several candles simultaneously. In antique figural pieces, these branches often wrap around the central sculptural figure as foliage or drapery.