What is the difference between a candlestick and a candelabra?

A candlestick supports a single vertical candle nozzle on a central stem. A candelabra branches out from the main shaft to hold multiple candles simultaneously. Both forms serve the same domestic lighting function, but candelabra provide greater illumination and a more formal silhouette on a mantlepiece.

How do I identify a mantle lustre?

Mantle lustres are distinguished by a central glass or porcelain vase body fitted with a ring of hanging crystal prisms. They often incorporate candle sockets at the top, though some function purely as decorative mantel ornaments. The presence of cut glass pendant drops distinguishes them from standard candlesticks or vases.

Were these holders meant only for candles?

Most mantle lighting from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was designed strictly for wax or tallow candles. Glass storm shades were occasionally added to shield the flame from drafts in open rooms. Later Victorian examples sometimes adapted to early artificial lighting methods, but traditional candle sockets remain the standard configuration.

How should I clean antique brass and glass?

Antique brass benefits from gentle dusting and occasional cleaning with a non-abrasive cloth to preserve its natural patination. Aggressive chemical polishes can strip away historical surface colour and age. Crystal drops and glass lustres can be washed carefully in lukewarm soapy water while detached from the metal body, then dried thoroughly before rehanging.