Were these originally for candles or electricity?

Virtually all nineteenth-century and earlier examples were engineered exclusively to burn wax or tallow candles. Many incorporate drip pans and removable nozzle inserts to catch melting wax. Later adaptations often convert these items into table lamps or wall lights by running concealed wiring through the central stem. Collectors generally value pieces retaining their original unmodified candle sockets.

How can I tell French Empire style from Rococo?

French Empire pieces rely on strict symmetry, neoclassical motifs like military trophies or classical figures, and heavy architectural proportions. They reflect the influence of Napoleon's reign and ancient Roman aesthetics. In contrast, Rococo items feature asymmetrical scrolling foliage, C-scrolls, shell motifs and naturalistic curves that evoke organic movement. These designs prioritize playful elegance over formal rigidity.

Why are most of these offered as pairs?

Symmetry dominated formal interior decoration during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, requiring matching lighting fixtures to balance fireplace mantels, console tables and sideboards. Candlesticks and candelabra were manufactured in matched pairs specifically for this balanced room arrangement. Finding surviving pairs intact adds significantly to the historical integrity of the objects. Single items often indicate the loss or separation of their counterpart over time.