Georgian Silver Candleholders
Georgian silver candleholders bring genuine period elegance to a room, offering functional candlelight shaped by eighteenth-century design.
Georgian Silver Candleholders
When you search for georgian silver candleholders, you encounter pairs of candlesticks and candelabra originating mainly from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, alongside later revivals. These objects include standard domestic candlesticks, chamber candlesticks designed for bedroom use, and taller multi-light candelabra.
The pieces on offer span the Georgian period proper, such as George III examples, as well as nineteenth-century interpretations and twentieth-century reproductions in earlier styles. Forms range from simple taper sticks to telescopic designs and lyre-shaped multi-light fixtures.
How They Were Made
Silversmiths utilised solid sterling silver and hallmarked silver for finer pieces, shaping them through casting and hammering techniques. Many domestic items relied on Old Sheffield plate or silver plate, fusing a thin layer of silver onto a copper base or paktong alloy.
Makers incorporated removable sconces to catch melting wax, and employed weighted bases filled with resin or wood to ensure stability during use.
Georgian Silver Candleholders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for georgian silver candleholders 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.
Listings feature sterling silver, silver plate, Old Sheffield Plate, copper, and paktong across the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.
What Varies in Quality
The calibre of georgian silver candleholders depends heavily on the crispness of the chasing, the proportion of the columns, and whether original components like detachable nozzles remain intact. Heavier gauge metal and clear hallmarks denote superior manufacture.
Plated wares vary according to how well the silver layer adheres to the base copper or metal over centuries of cleaning, with minimal base metal exposure distinguishing finer examples.
John Cafe·Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd·James Dixon & Sons·Blagden Hodgson & Co
The Georgian Silver Candleholders Glossary
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple lights. These larger items often feature removable arms to convert into single sticks.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A composite material made by fusing a sheet of silver to a copper ingot. This technique predates modern electroplating.
- Paktong
- A copper-nickel-zinc alloy originating from China, used for metalwork in the eighteenth century. It mimics the appearance of silver.
- Sconce
- The detachable top pan of a candlestick that catches dripping wax. It lifts out for easier cleaning.
- Telescopic
- An adjustable shaft mechanism allowing the height of the candlestick to extend. This format appears in certain Regency designs.
Georgian Silver Candleholders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique silver candleholders?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver polish to maintain the shine without removing the underlying plating or hallmarks.
Avoid harsh chemical dips, particularly on plated items where excessive rubbing can expose the base copper or metal beneath.
What is Old Sheffield Plate?
Old Sheffield Plate is a fused metal technique where a thin sheet of sterling silver is thermally bonded to a copper core.
Pieces made this way show a thin line of copper where the edges meet, which serves as a helpful indicator of age and method.
Why do some candlesticks feel heavy?
Makers filled the hollow bases of silver and plated candlesticks with pitch, resin, plaster, or wood to provide necessary weight and balance.
This internal weighting prevents the tall items from tipping over easily when holding lit candles.