Glass Candle Holders
Glass candle holders bring ambient light and rich colour to a room through cut crystal, ruby glass, and gleaming brass mounts.
Glass Candle Holders
Glass candle holders encompass a variety of lighting forms designed for tables, mantels, and walls. When you search for glass candle holders, you encounter Victorian lustres, Regency cut-glass table standards, and multi-branch candelabra.
The pieces on this page span the nineteenth century into the twentieth century, originating from English, French, and Bohemian workshops. Pairs dominate the selection, alongside single mantel lustres and specialised night fairy lights.
Makers and designers range from Rene Lalique to patented systems like Clarke's Cricklite. Forms include candlesticks with storm shades, girandole wall mirrors with integrated candle arms, and tall multi-branch candelabra.
Materials and Techniques
Makers combined heavy lead crystal and coloured glass with cast brass, gilt bronze, and ormolu mounts. Lustres and candlesticks often feature hand-cut facets that catch and refract candlelight.
Techniques include flash glass casing, where a thin layer of ruby or green glass overlays clear crystal before cutting. Molten glass was blown into hollow stems, while metal components were cast, chased, and gilded.
Victorian ingenuity included a lighthouse novelty night fairy light that advertised Ozokerit candles straight from London.
Distinctions in Execution
Quality rests in the crispness of the glass cutting and the weight of the metal mounts. Superior pieces display deep, sharp facets on the crystal and cleanly cast bronze or brass elements.
The completeness of pendant drops on lustres and the clarity of coloured glass layers dictate the standing of an example. Fine execution shows in the precise alignment of multi-branch candelabra arms and secure, original fittings.
Rene Lalique·Clarke
The Glass Candle Holders Glossary
- Lustre
- A decorative tabletop candlestick fitted with hanging glass prisms or pendants. These pendants refract the flame to increase the sparkle.
- Flash glass
- Glass made in two or more distinct layers of different colours. The outer coloured layer is partly cut away to reveal the clear glass beneath.
- Cricklite
- A patented night light system developed by Clarke. It utilises a specialised glass shade and candle holder designed for safety and steady illumination.
- Ormolu
- Finely chopped high-karat gold applied to a bronze base using a mercury amalgam technique. It provides a rich, durable metallic finish on nineteenth-century mounts.
- Girandole
- A branched candle holder or sconce attached to a wall mirror. The reflective glass plate multiplies the candlelight in the room.
Glass Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mantel lustre?
A mantel lustre is an ornamental candlestick hung with cut glass prisms designed to sit on a fireplace mantel. They provide decorative sparkle and reflected light.
These pieces often feature ruby, green, or pink glass bodies paired with brass or gilt bronze bases.
How do I clean glass candle holders?
Dust glass candle holders gently with a soft dry cloth. Remove glass pendants for washing in warm, soapy water only when necessary.
Avoid submerging metal mounts or antique gilded surfaces to protect the original finishes.
What are Cricklite candle holders?
Cricklite pieces are patented nineteenth-century night light holders created by Clarke. They use specialised glass chimneys and shades to protect the flame.
These designs frequently combine cut glass bases with silver-plated or brass frames.
How do I identify Victorian glass?
Victorian glass often displays deep ruby, green, or pink hues created through specialised mineral colouring. Look for heavy lead crystal weights and hand-cut facets.
Many examples incorporate brass or bronze mountings characteristic of the nineteenth century.