What is an ejector candlestick?

An ejector candlestick incorporates a sliding internal disc connected to an exterior thumbpiece, allowing the user to push the remaining candle stump upward for easy extraction. This practical innovation became common in nineteenth-century brass lighting to prevent stuck wax from accumulating deep within the socket.

How do I date a brass candlestick?

Dating relies on manufacturing traces such as casting seams, base construction, and the evolution of profiles from heavy Georgian mouldings to slender Victorian stems. Wear patterns around the socket and the presence of makers' marks or registration numbers also help establish the likely period of manufacture.

Were these used on tables or floors?

The inventory contains both table-height candlesticks intended for mantelpieces and furniture, alongside taller ecclesiastical pieces and adjustable floor lamps. Smaller pairs provided portable desk or dining illumination, while heavier church candlesticks and floor stands illuminated larger public or domestic spaces.