Large Pricket Candle Stand
A large pricket candle stand holds wax upon a sharp central spike rather than inside a socket, bringing height and altar-style drama to a room.
Large Pricket Candle Stand
A large pricket candle stand is a tall lighting fixture designed to support a candle on a vertical spike, appearing frequently as pairs of church or altar candlesticks. These substantial pieces span several periods, with nineteenth-century examples and earlier eighteenth-century forms forming the core of what is available.
Makers produced these stands in diverse regional styles, ranging from Gothic Revival and Baroque designs to Amsterdam School, Art Nouveau, and Italian Neoclassical interpretations. Floor-standing models and tall table versions dominate the selection, often taking the form of floor candelabras and church candle holders.
The objects serve both functional and decorative purposes, carrying heavy wax candles on wide drip pans or bases. Buyers encounter them in ecclesiastical brass, wrought iron, and carved wood finishes, frequently displaying significant vertical presence.
Materials and construction methods
Metal stands rely on cast and turned brass, copper, bronze, and wrought iron, joined to form sturdy shafts and weighted bases. Brass and iron combinations appear in twentieth-century Dutch designs, while earlier church pieces utilise solid cast brass or bronze.
Wooden examples depend on carved wood, giltwood, and gesso over timber cores, sometimes finished with silver leaf or polychrome paint. Artisans carved these woods into baroque scrolls and altar-style shafts before applying gold leaf or paint layers.
Materials span brass, gesso, iron, wood, wrought iron, giltwood, carved wood, and bronze across various centuries.
Distinguishing quality in pricket stands
Quality rests upon the crispness of the casting in metal pieces and the depth of the hand-carving in wooden stands. Finer examples exhibit sharply defined ornament, balanced proportions, and substantial weight in their bases.
The integrity of the original surface finishes, whether patinated brass, giltwood, or silver leaf, dictates the standing of the piece. Superior items retain their original spikes, drip pans, and structural fixings without excessive modern replacement.
The Large Pricket Candle Stand Glossary
- Pricket
- A sharp metal spike on top of a candlestick that impels the base of a candle to hold it upright. This method predates the socket candlestick.
- Giltwood
- Timber that has been coated with a thin layer of gold leaf or gesso and gold powder. It appears frequently on Italian and French altar pieces.
- Amsterdam School
- An architectural and design movement from the early twentieth century known for expressive brickwork, heavy metalwork, and organic forms. Copper and brass pricket stands often display these characteristics.
- Gesso
- A plaster-like mixture applied to wood as a base for gilding or painting. It provides a smooth surface for intricate carved details.
- Torchère
- A tall ornamental stand or candlestick designed to hold a light. These pieces often feature elongated shafts and substantial floor-standing bases.
Large Pricket Candle Stand: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pricket candle stand?
A pricket candle stand is a holder that uses an upward-pointing metal spike to secure a candle, differing from standard socket holders.
These pieces were traditionally used in churches and altars before transitioning into decorative domestic objects.
How do I clean antique brass?
Antique brass benefits from gentle dusting and occasional cleaning with mild soap and water to preserve the aged patina.
Harsh metal polishes should be avoided because they strip away historical surface oxidation and diminish the value.
Were these used in churches?
Many large pricket stands originated in ecclesiastical settings, functioning as altar candlesticks and floor-standing church candle holders.
Their impressive height and sturdy construction made them suitable for large ceremonial spaces.
How do I secure a candle?
A candle is mounted by pressing its base firmly down onto the sharp metal spike at the top of the stand.
Some larger candles may require the base to be slightly warmed or pierced to sit securely on the pricket.