Antique Silvered Table Candlesticks
Antique silvered table candlesticks bring formal dining and parlour lighting into domestic rooms through plated metals and solid silver forms.
Antique Silvered Table Candlesticks
When searching for antique silvered table candlesticks, buyers encounter items designed to support tapers, candles, or larger multi-branch lights on dining tables and mantelpieces. The selection spans single sticks, matched pairs, and larger multi-light candelabra or converted table lamps.
The pieces appearing on this page originate predominantly from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, encompassing Victorian, Edwardian, and George V periods. Forms range from simple column designs to ornate figural and revival styles.
How They Were Made
Manufacturing methods involve both solid sterling silver and various plated techniques, including silver plate, electroplated nickel silver, Old Sheffield plate, and parcel gilt finishes over base metals like brass, copper, and general metal. Makers also utilised glass components and weighted bases to ensure stability for taller candle arrangements.
Stylistic execution draws upon Neoclassical, Rococo, and Corinthian column architectural motifs, often shaped through casting, stamping, and detailed hand-finishing by period workshops.
Listings feature items from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, spanning the Victorian, Edwardian, and George V periods.
What Varies in Quality
Quality differences emerge in the crispness of cast ornamentation and the structural integrity of the joints connecting the base, stem, and nozzle. Substantial weight and balanced proportions distinguish superior examples from lighter, mass-produced alternatives.
The preservation of the original silver or silver-plated surface layer over the underlying base metal significantly affects the integrity of each piece.
Conrad Eduard Mappe·Garrard and Co·Mappin and Webb·Birks·Hawksworth Eyre·Matthew Boulton·James Fenton·WMF
The Antique Silvered Table Candlesticks Glossary
- Silver Plate
- A thin layer of silver applied to a base metal core, such as copper or nickel silver, to provide the appearance of solid silver. This technique became widespread during the nineteenth century for domestic tableware.
- Electroplated Nickel Silver
- A method abbreviated as EPNS where silver is bonded to a nickel-zinc-copper alloy using an electrical current. It offered a durable and uniform finish for table wares.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early fusing technique where a sheet of silver is melted onto a thicker copper ingot before being rolled into sheets. Pieces made this way often reveal thin lines of copper showing through at high points of wear.
- Corinthian Column
- An architectural order featuring an ornate capital decorated with acanthus leaves, frequently adopted as a decorative stem for formal candlesticks.
- Candelabra
- A branched lighting fixture designed to hold multiple candles simultaneously from a single central base and stem.
- Chamberstick
- A low, portable candlestick fitted with a shallow pan to catch dripping wax and a ring handle for carrying around a residence.
Antique Silvered Table Candlesticks: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between candlesticks and candelabras?
Candlesticks are single-shaft supports designed to hold one candle at a time in a vertical socket. They generally feature a weighted base, a decorative stem, and a removable nozzle.
Candelabras incorporate a branched structure rising from a central stem to support multiple candles simultaneously. These larger configurations often appear on dining tables or sideboards for formal illumination.
How do I identify the period of a silvered candlestick?
Dating relies on stylistic markers such as neoclassical columns, rococo curves, or arts and crafts simplicity, alongside structural assembly methods. Examining the form provides initial clues regarding whether a piece belongs to the Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian eras.
Maker marks, registration numbers, and hallmarks stamped onto the metal surface offer precise verification of origin and manufacturing date. These stamps often appear near the base rim or inside the drip pan.
Are plated candlesticks durable for daily use?
Silver plated and electroplated nickel silver items withstand regular handling when treated with care during cleaning and polishing. The underlying base metals provide adequate structural strength for domestic settings.
Polishing requires non-abrasive cloths to preserve the thin outer layer of silver over the base metal. Avoiding harsh chemical dips prevents damage to the plated finish.
Can antique candlesticks be converted into table lamps?
Many historical candlesticks undergo conversion into electric lamps by running a cord through the central channel without altering the exterior metalwork. This adaptation allows period forms to function safely with modern electrical wiring.
Conversions often utilise removable fittings that preserve the original socket and nozzle components. Reversible wiring methods maintain the structural integrity of the antique piece.