Converted Candlestick Lights
Converted candlestick lights bring old brass, giltwood and bronze lighting into modern rooms with considerable character.
Converted Candlestick Lights
Converted candlestick lights are former altar sticks, candelabra and domestic holders adapted to hold electrical fittings. These items span the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, drawing on styles such as Victorian, French Empire, Gothic Revival and Neoclassical.
The pieces appearing on this page take the form of table lamps. They range from single examples to pairs and larger sets, utilising bases originally shaped from brass, gilt bronze, marble and wood.
Assessing quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the casting work and the depth of the original gilding or metal finish. Finer examples display intricate chased detail on bronze and brass, or skillful carving on wooden altar sticks.
The integrity of the conversion also matters, particularly how cleanly the electrical fitting integrates with the historic stem without compromising the proportions of the original candlestick.
Converted Candlestick Lights Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for converted candlestick lights 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.
The listings on this page span the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring materials such as brass, gilt bronze, marble and fabric.
The Converted Candlestick Lights Glossary
- Pricket stick
- A candlestick featuring an upward-facing spike designed to secure a wax taper rather than a socket. These sticks often originate from church altars before conversion.
- Ormolu
- Finely ground high-carat gold mercury-gilded onto a bronze or brass base. This technique produces a rich metallic lustre seen on French Empire and nineteenth century pieces.
- Giltwood
- Timber carved and subsequently covered with a thin layer of gold leaf. This material appears frequently on altar sticks and chateau lighting.
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple lights. Converted versions adapt these multi-armed branches into substantial table lamps.
Converted Candlestick Lights: Frequently Asked Questions
What are converted candlestick lights?
Converted candlestick lights are historic altar sticks, candelabra and domestic holders that have been adapted to function as electric table lamps. They preserve the original metal or wooden stems from periods such as the Victorian era and the nineteenth century while accommodating modern wiring.
These items allow older decorative objects to serve a practical purpose in contemporary interiors. Each piece retains the distinct styling of its original period of manufacture.
How do I choose between brass and giltwood?
Brass candlestick lights offer a durable metal construction with patinated surfaces that suit both traditional and industrial settings. Giltwood and ormolu alternatives provide a more ornate, decorative appearance derived from French Empire and ecclesiastical interiors.
Your choice depends on the existing materials within your room and whether you prefer the bright warmth of polished metal or the softer, gilded texture of carved wood.
How do I date a candlestick light?
Dating relies on identifying the decorative style, such as Gothic Revival, Neoclassical or French Empire, alongside the manufacturing materials like cast brass or bronze. Structural details on the base and stem indicate the period of origin.
Most pieces span the eighteenth century through to the early twentieth century. Comparing the proportions and casting methods helps narrow down the decade or century of production.
Where do altar candlestick lamps come from?
Altar candlestick lamps originate from churches and chapels where they once supported large wax candles for services. These sturdy sticks were later adapted with electrical fittings to function as domestic lighting.
Their substantial size and architectural forms make them particularly striking as table lamps in modern living spaces.