Fluted Silver Candlestick Pair
A fluted silver candlestick pair brings formal symmetry and reflected light to a dining table.
Fluted Silver Candlestick Pair
A fluted silver candlestick pair comprises matching vertical supports designed to hold taper candles securely in domestic settings. When you search for a fluted silver candlestick pair, you encounter variations spanning the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods.
The surviving examples range from solid sterling silver bearing assay office marks to silver plated base metal, nickel silver, and pewter. Forms extend from slender column candle holders to multi-light candelabra and converted table lamps.
The most frequent sightings on this page are Edwardian and Victorian pairs, often featuring classical revival details such as Corinthian columns and acanthus collars alongside vertical fluting.
Distinctions in craftsmanship and preservation
The division between standard production and finer output rests on the crispness of the chased or cast fluting and the integrity of the underlying metal. Substantial gauge sterling silver from known workshops retains sharper architectural lines than thin stamped plating.
Completeness dictates value, particularly the presence of original removable sconces and uniform weighting within the base. Surface wear on silver plated items reveals the base metal underneath, altering the visual weight of the pair.
Listings feature items spanning the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, executed in sterling silver, silver plate, pewter, and bell metal.
Garrard & Co·Hawksworth Eyre
The Fluted Silver Candlestick Pair Glossary
- Fluted
- Decorated with parallel shallow grooves running vertically along the shaft of the candlestick. This classical architectural detail creates rhythmic highlights and shadows.
- Sconce
- The detachable pan at the top of the candlestick that catches dripping wax. It fits directly into the capital.
- Capital
- The uppermost decorative section of a candlestick column, often styled after classical orders such as Corinthian or Doric. It directly supports the sconce and candle.
- Base metal
- Any non-precious metal used as the core structure for silver plating. Common examples include brass, copper, and nickel alloys.
- Old Sheffield plate
- An early method of fusing a thin sheet of silver onto a thicker copper base before rolling. This technique predates modern electroplating.
Fluted Silver Candlestick Pair: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver plated candlesticks?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver cream formulated specifically for plated items. Avoid aggressive rubbing that can wear through the thin silver layer to the base metal.
Take care around weighted bases and felted bottoms to prevent moisture from seeping inside the structure.
Are these candlesticks made of solid silver?
The listings include both solid sterling silver and silver plated base metal. Hallmarks stamped on the metal indicate sterling standard and assay office origins.
Silver plated items show marks relating to the plating process or maker rather than official silver assay stamps.
What is a removable sconce?
The removable sconce is the small top tray designed to catch melting wax during use. It lifts out of the main capital for easier cleaning.
Finding a pair with both original sconces intact is a notable advantage for collectors.
How can I tell the period from the style?
Neoclassical and Georgian examples lean toward clean architectural proportions and slender columns. Victorian and Edwardian pieces often introduce heavier ornamentation, acanthus collars, and Corinthian capitals.
Art Deco items display geometric simplification and distinct twentieth-century silhouettes.