What is a pricket candlestick?

A pricket candlestick uses an upright metal spike rather than a socket to secure the candle. This traditional ecclesiastical design requires candles with a recessed base to sit upon the point. Such pieces originated mainly for church altars before finding a place in domestic interiors as decorative floor and table items.

How do I care for giltwood?

Giltwood requires gentle dusting with a soft, dry brush to protect the delicate metallic leaf and underlying gesso. Avoid liquid cleaners and moisture entirely, as water lifts the gilding from the wood. Keep these pieces away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the wood from warping and the gesso from cracking.

Are these pieces electrified?

Many historical candlesticks and pricket sticks have been converted into table lamps, standard lamps, or wall sconces over time. Some retain their original wooden configuration for holding candles. Conversions often utilise existing central channels or discreet wiring paths to preserve the carved wooden structure of the shaft.

How to identify Italian styles?

Italian pieces often display exuberant Baroque or Rococo carving with dynamic scrolling foliage and silvered mecca finishes. Florentine and Venetian workshops favoured dramatic scale and rich surface gilding. English counterparts tend to exhibit more restrained architectural proportions, frequently incorporating ebonised details alongside traditional carving.