How do I wire antique wall lights?

Most antique metal and wooden wall lights arrive with hollow arms or backplates suitable for modern electrical wiring by a qualified technician. Original sockets are rarely present or safe for use, so contemporary candle tubes and hidden internal leads are typically integrated during installation.

Can these sconces burn real candles?

Many older wall lights and girandoles were constructed for wax candles before the arrival of domestic electricity. Using real candles requires caution around delicate giltwood and dried crystal drops, as soot and dripping wax can damage the antique surfaces.

How do I clean gilded surfaces safely?

Dust gilt bronze and carved giltwood gently using a soft, dry brush without applying abrasive polishes. Harsh commercial cleaners strip away the thin layer of gold leaf or ormolu, permanently revealing the base metal underneath.

How do I date a gilt wall light?

Stylistic cues such as Neoclassical urns, Empire motifs, or Rococo asymmetry offer the first indication of a piece's era. Examining the backplate fixings, casting seams, and the composition of the metal or wood provides further confirmation of nineteenth or early twentieth-century origin.