How do I clean ormolu candle holders?

Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth to remove everyday particles without disturbing the surface. Avoid chemical polishes entirely, as abrasive substances strip away the historic gold layer. Water and harsh detergents can damage underlying metal and any integrated marble bases. Professional conservation is advised for heavily tarnished pieces.

Were these used with candles or oil?

These pieces were designed specifically to burn wax or tallow tapers held firmly within the sockets. The drip pans and bobeches caught stray wax before it reached the furniture below. Later adaptations sometimes converted these forms to electricity, though many retain their original configuration for traditional candle use.

How can I tell Empire style from Louis XVI?

Louis XVI pieces favour slender, fluted columns, classical urns and restrained symmetrical floral swags. The influence draws on a lighter, more delicate classical revival. Empire items display heavier militaristic and Egyptian motifs, including winged figures, sphinxes and robust caryatid supports reflecting nineteenth-century imperial grandeur.

A bobeche is a small removable collar or drip pan that sits just below the candle socket. It catches melted wax before it runs down the main stem or arms. Many antique pairs retain their matched bobeches, which adds significantly to their completeness and desirability.