Decorative Table Candle Holders
Decorative table candle holders bring sculptural form and warm illumination to a room, spanning periods from the eighteenth century to the art deco era.
Decorative Table Candle Holders
Decorative table candle holders encompass candlesticks, multi-armed candelabra, and tazzas designed for domestic tabletops. The selections on this page range from simple taper sticks to elaborate figural and multi-branch examples.
Most pieces seen here belong to the nineteenth century, alongside Regency, eighteenth-century, and twentieth-century art deco items. French empire, neoclassical, and Venetian styles dominate the aesthetic range.
Forms include pairs of matching sticks as well as grander single items, utilising motifs from animals and putti to architectural columns.
Materials and construction methods
Metalwork forms the core of these pieces, employing gilt bronze, ormolu, cast brass, silver, and silver plate. Cold painted spelter and old Sheffield plate also appear among the metal constructions.
Combinations of materials define many designs, pairing patinated and gilt bronze with white marble bases or incorporating wooden and porcelain elements. Cloisonne enamel and surface paint add decorative detail to specific bases and stems.
Decorative Table Candle Holders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for decorative table candle holders 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.
Materials represented include gilt bronze, ormolu, silver, porcelain, marble, and cloisonne.
Assessing quality and execution
Quality rests in the crispness of the casting and the depth of the chasing on metal surfaces, particularly where ormolu and gilt bronze meet. Smoother, softer details often indicate mass production or later reproduction.
The integration of mixed media, such as fitted marble plinths or detailed porcelain figures, distinguishes standard utilitarian items from ambitious decorative works. Attribution to known makers elevates the standing of individual pieces.
Pierre Philippe Thomire·Auguste Cain
The Decorative Table Candle Holders Glossary
- Ormolu
- Gilded brass or bronze applied to decorative objects, originating from the French process of mercury gilding. It provides a bright, durable golden surface.
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple candles or lights from a single base. They often feature removable arms for conversion.
- Spelter
- An alloy of zinc and lead used as a cheaper substitute for bronze. It takes paint well and frequently mimics heavier metals.
- Tazza
- A shallow saucer-like dish supported on a stem and foot, used for display or service. In lighting contexts, it shares space with candle equipment.
- Compote
- A raised bowl or dish used for fruit or sweetmeats, occasionally associated with Regency decorative table items. They share display characteristics with candle holders.
Decorative Table Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean gilt bronze?
Dust gilt bronze gently with a soft dry brush to remove surface particles.
Avoid chemical polishes and water, which can strip or damage the delicate gilt surface over time.
Are these candle holders electrified?
Most pieces retain their original configuration for wax candles, though some carry later electrical wiring.
Check individual listings to confirm whether a piece has been converted for lamps or remains in its original state.
How do I date a metal candle holder?
Dating relies on stylistic clues like neoclassical motifs, manufacturing techniques such as casting marks, and material choices.
Examining the wear patterns on the base and the method of joining components also helps determine age.