Large Altar Sticks
Large altar sticks command a room with their height and presence, offering a dramatic architectural element drawn from ecclesiastical spaces.
Large Altar Sticks
Large altar sticks are substantial candle holders originally designed for ecclesiastical settings, standing tall to illuminate church altars and sanctuaries. When buyers search for large altar sticks, they encounter imposing pairs intended to create a striking symmetrical focus on altars, sideboards, or large tables.
The examples found here span the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, taking the form of both traditional church candlesticks and pricket sticks with sharp spikes to hold candles. Styles range from Gothic Revival and Baroque to French Chateau and Italian Neoclassical, reflecting varied European ecclesiastical traditions.
Many of these pieces have been thoughtfully converted into table lamps over time, blending historic religious metalwork and woodwork with domestic utility. Their robust height and sculptural silhouettes make them enduringly popular for interior schemes seeking historic weight.
How they were made
Makers utilised heavy brass and cast bronze to construct durable metal shafts and bases that could support large candles without tipping. Turned and carved wood formed another primary medium, shaped into complex balusters and columns.
Wooden pieces frequently received layers of gesso before being finished with silver leaf or painted surfaces to mimic richer materials like solid silver or stone. Pricket tops featured iron spikes forged specifically to impale wax candles securely above the drip pan.
Large Altar Sticks Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for large altar sticks 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.
What varies in quality
Quality rests heavily on the crispness of the casting in metal pieces and the depth of the hand-carving in wooden examples. Finer sticks display balanced proportions and substantial weight, whereas lesser versions rely on thinner gauges of brass or softer wood turning.
The preservation of original surface finishes, such as aged silver leaf or historic paint, significantly elevates a pair's character and desirability. Alterations to conversions and the stability of joints also dictate how well a piece retains its historical integrity.
The Large Altar Sticks Glossary
- Pricket
- A sharp metal spike on top of a candlestick designed to hold a candle in place. This form predates socket-type candle holders.
- Gesso
- A plaster-like mixture applied to wood surfaces to create a smooth base for gilding or painting. It allows for intricate moulded details.
- Baluster
- An architectural column or support with a swollen lower portion. This turned shape provides stability to tall candlesticks.
Large Altar Sticks: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pricket stick?
A pricket stick is a candle holder that uses an upward-pointing metal spike rather than a socket to secure the candle.
This traditional design requires candles with a hollow base or pierced bottom to sit firmly upon the spike.
How do I identify Gothic Revival sticks?
Gothic Revival altar sticks often display architectural motifs such as quatrefoils, trefoils, and pointed arches along their stems and bases.
They generally date from the nineteenth century when medieval design experienced a widespread resurgence.
Can converted table lamps be reversed?
Many brass and wooden candlesticks have been drilled or fitted with internal wiring to function as electrical table lamps.
Reverting them to hold candles depends on whether the original drip pan and pricket remain intact above the electrical fittings.