Georgian Sterling Candlesticks
Georgian sterling candlesticks bring undeniable presence to a dining table, uniting solid silver weight with the enduring forms of the eighteenth century.
Georgian Sterling Candlesticks
Most examples appear in pairs or sets of four, taking the form of classic single candlesticks or converted two-light and three-light candelabra. You will also find related forms including miniature folding tapersticks and chambersticks designed for bedroom use.
How they were made
Makers shaped these items primarily from sterling silver, utilising traditional casting and smithing techniques in assay towns like London and Sheffield. Many examples incorporate baize on the underside to protect fine furniture surfaces from the heavy metal bases.
The decorative vocabulary draws heavily from Neoclassical and Rococo Revival styles, showing chased foliage, fluted columns, and stepped square bases. Silversmiths marked their output with hallmarks indicating the year, city, and maker's stamp.
Georgian Sterling Candlesticks Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for georgian sterling candlesticks 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 show materials spanning sterling silver, silver-plate, and baize bases across periods from the mid-eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century.
What varies in quality
The distinction between ordinary and exceptional pieces lies in the crispness of the cast ornament and the weight of the silver. Early cast work by renowned masters displays sharp detailing on the shoulders and bases that softer revival pieces lack.
Proportion and structural integrity define the better examples, ensuring the taller shafts stand firmly without lean. The clarity of the hallmarks and the preservation of original engraved crests further elevate an object's standing.
John Reilly·John Cafe·James Dixon And Sons
The Georgian Sterling Candlesticks Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver by mass and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper. This standard ensures the material holds the rigid form required for tall lighting.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied by an assay office indicating the purity of the metal, the year of manufacture, and the maker. These tiny marks provide the primary evidence for dating an antique.
- Baize
- A coarse woolen material resembling felt glued to the base of a candlestick. It prevents scratching when the heavy silver piece is moved across a wooden table.
- Chamberstick
- A low candlestick fitted with a handle and a small saucer to catch dripping wax. People carried these portable lights through dark hallways at night.
- Taperstick
- A miniature version of a candlestick designed specifically to hold a thin wax taper for melting sealing wax. These delicate items were essential for closing letters before the widespread use of envelopes.
Georgian Sterling Candlesticks: Frequently Asked Questions
Are these candlesticks safe to use with real candles?
Real candles function perfectly well in these pieces provided the candle fits snugly in the nozzle without leaning. Ensure you extinguish the flame before the wax burns down near the silver to protect the metal.
Keep the candlesticks away from open drafts to prevent uneven melting and potential drips onto the surrounding base or furniture.
How can I tell an eighteenth-century piece from a later revival?
Examine the hallmarks carefully for date letters and assay office symbols that correspond to the Georgian period. Construction methods also provide clues, as eighteenth-century pieces often feature heavier cast components and hand-finished details.
Revival pieces made in the twentieth century typically display modern standard marks that clearly indicate their later date of manufacture.
Why do some candlesticks come in sets of four?
Large dining tables in grand homes required multiple lighting points to illuminate guests during evening meals. Sets of four provided balanced symmetry down the centre of the table.
Finding a matching set of four from the eighteenth century is significantly harder than finding individual pairs.