Antique Table Candlesticks
These antique table candlesticks bring genuine period candlelight and converted charm to a room, ranging from simple brass to grand silver plate.
Antique Table Candlesticks
When you search for antique table candlesticks, you are looking at elevated holders designed to support wax candles on dining tables, sideboards and mantels. The selections span simple domestic items in brass and pewter to ornate silver plated and sterling silver examples fit for formal rooms.
You are most likely to meet 19th century brass pairs and Victorian silver plated designs on this page, alongside Edwardian conversions adapted for electricity. Many pieces survive as pairs, offering symmetrical balance for interior placement.
Makers and workshops across Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods produced these items in styles varying from neoclassical columns to French revival ormolu. Some examples show later conversion into table lamps or hurricane lamps while retaining their original metal bases.
How they were made
Metalworking techniques dictate the construction of these pieces, utilising cast brass, spun sheet metals, and applied silver plating over base metal cores. Heavier examples often incorporate weighted bases to ensure stability when holding tall tapers or multi-branch candelabra.
Gilt bronze and ormolu pieces involve meticulous mercury gilding or modern electroplating applied to cast copper alloys, creating rich decorative surfaces. Silver items frequently employ sterling or thick silver plate over copper, soldered or screwed together in distinct modular sections.
Certain brass pairs star standing terrier dogs beneath the candle socket, guarding the flame with canine loyalty.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the casting detail and the weight of the metal utilised in the body and base. Superior pairs display deep, hand-chased ornamentation on neoclassical columns or floral motifs, whereas lesser items rely on shallow pressings.
The preservation of the original surface finish, whether unpolished patinated brass, parcel gilt highlights, or intact silver plate without heavy base metal show-through, marks the distinction between standard items and high-end examples.
Mappin & Webb·Garrard & Co
The Antique Table Candlesticks Glossary
- Candelabra
- A multi-branched candlestick designed to hold several candles simultaneously from a single central stem. They often feature detachable arms for easier cleaning and maintenance.
- Corinthian Column
- A classical architectural column style frequently utilised on formal candlesticks and table lamps. The capital is decorated with ornate acanthus leaves.
- Ormolu
- Finely ground high-carat gold applied to a bronze base metal object through a mercury amalgamation process. This technique produces a durable, warm golden finish seen on French revival pieces.
- Mantel Lustre
- A decorative tabletop ornament featuring hanging cut glass prisms or drops arranged around a central candle socket. They catch and reflect ambient light from candles or lamps.
- Silver Plate
- A thin layer of silver fused or electroplated onto a base metal such as copper or nickel brass. It offers the appearance of solid silver at a lower production cost.
Antique Table Candlesticks: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean tarnished brass candlesticks?
Use a soft cloth and a mild, non-abrasive brass cleaner to gently remove surface oxidation without rubbing away the aged patina. Avoid harsh chemical dips that strip the historic character from the metal.
Take care around soldered joints and engraved details where residue can easily accumulate and dull the appearance over time.
Were these candlesticks converted to lamps later?
Many examples from the Edwardian and later periods were fitted for electrical wiring either during their working life or in recent decades. Conversions often utilise the hollow central column to run the cord safely.
Inspect the base and socket fittings to determine if the adaptation preserves the original structural integrity of the antique metalwork.
How do I tell sterling silver from silver plate?
Sterling silver pieces carry official hallmarks indicating the assay office, standard of purity, and date letter. Silver plate lacks these specific duty marks and may reveal the base metal beneath through wear.
Heft and examination of the edges under magnification help confirm the presence of a solid silver construction versus a plated coating.
Can I use standard candles in antique sockets?
Older taper sockets often vary from modern standard millimeter measurements due to historic manufacturing tolerances. A small knife or candle shaper may be needed to secure modern tapers upright.
Check the nozzle diameter carefully before lighting candles to ensure stability and prevent hot wax from dripping onto the metal surface.