Antique Figure Candle Stands
These antique figure candle stands combine sculptural modelling with domestic utility, bringing character and candlelight to any interior.
Antique Figure Candle Stands
When you search for antique figure candle stands, you encounter sculptural holders depicting animals, mythological characters, human figures and allegorical subjects in bronze, brass, porcelain and carved wood.
The pieces on this page span the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, encompassing Georgian porcelain groups, Victorian brass designs and continental bronze works.
Most entries take the form of pairs of candlesticks or multi-branched candelabra, alongside occasional carved torcheres designed to elevate a light source.
Materials and construction methods
Ceramic examples utilise hard paste porcelain, bone china and earthenware, shaped in moulds and finished with hand-painted enamel colours and gilt accents.
Wooden items rely on skilled carving in timbers such as mahogany, walnut and rosewood, sometimes mounted on socle bases or paired with marble plinths.
Antique Figure Candle Stands Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for figure candle stands 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.
Medieval characters navigating the room on stilts.
Assessing quality and execution
Quality rests in the crispness of the casting or the precision of the carving, where sharper facial expressions and detailed fingers distinguish superior items from softer secondary work.
The richness of the gilding and the depth of the bronze patina indicate the initial expense of the manufacture and the care taken during finishing.
Intact original elements, such as matching removable drip pans and stable marble or wooden bases, maintain the integrity of the design.
Pierre Philippe Thomire·Royal Worcester Hadley·Helena Wolfsohn·Sitzendorf·Triebner ENS and Eckert Volkstedt
The Antique Figure Candle Stands Glossary
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze produced through a mercury amalgamation process common in French decorative arts. It provides a warm metallic lustre that endures without tarnishing easily.
- Spelter
- A zinc alloy utilised as an economical alternative to bronze during the nineteenth century. It takes a bronze or painted finish to resemble heavier metal.
- Torchere
- A tall stand or candlestick designed to hold a light source above floor level. Many examples take the form of carved wooden figures holding torch arms.
- Hard paste porcelain
- A durable ceramic composition fired at high temperatures, allowing for fine detail and glassy glazes. It forms the basis of many eighteenth and nineteenth-century figural pieces.
Antique Figure Candle Stands: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique bronze candlesticks?
Dust gently with a soft dry brush to remove surface particles without disturbing the historic patina.
Avoid commercial metal polishes, which can strip away the original finish and diminish the value of the piece.
Are these candle stands safe to use?
They function well with standard taper candles, provided you monitor the flame and protect the underlying surface.
Ensure the base remains stable and keep the stand away from drafts to prevent tipping during use.
How can I date my figural candlestick?
Examine the casting quality, base construction, and any maker marks or registration numbers stamped into the metal or ceramic.
Stylistic cues such as Neoclassical drapery or Victorian proportions also provide clear indications of the manufacturing period.
Why do many figure candle stands come in pairs?
Symmetrical pairs were traditionally manufactured to flank a mantelpiece mirror or sit at opposite ends of a dining sideboard.
Keeping pairs together preserves their decorative symmetry and historical purpose.