Old Silver Candle Holders
These old silver candle holders bring the bright weight of Georgian and Regency dining rooms straight to your table.
Old Silver Candle Holders
When searching for old silver candle holders, buyers encounter a selection dominated by Old Sheffield plate pieces from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. These items take the form of candlesticks, matching candelabra suites, and chambersticks designed for domestic illumination.
The inventory on this page spans distinct periods including Georgian, Regency, and Victorian eras. Pairs and larger sets predominate, often featuring removable sconces or extending mechanisms for adjustable height.
Forms range from simple taper candlesticks to lyre-shaped three-light candelabra and ornate chamber candlesticks with fitted snuffers. Originating primarily from English workshops, these pieces showcase the neoclassical and George III design idioms of their respective decades.
Manufacturing methods and materials
Old Sheffield plate is the defining material here, created by fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper core before rolling and shaping the composite metal. This fusion method allows the underlying copper to occasionally show through at high points where decades of polishing have thinned the silver layer.
Silversmiths constructed these candle holders through a combination of plate rolling, metal spinning, and soldered assembly. Heavier components like bases often incorporated weighted fillings to provide stability for supporting tall candelabra arms.
Object forms recorded on this page include standard candlesticks, multi-light candelabra, and low chambersticks.
Quality variations
The distinction between standard production and top-tier work rests on the crispness of the chased or stamped enrichment and the integrity of the silver fusion. Superior examples retain their original removable sconces and matching hallmarks or maker marks where applied.
Complexity of form also dictates distinction, separating simple cylindrical shafts from intricate lyre-shaped candelabra with multiple branch attachments. Preservation of the original silver surface without excessive base metal exposure separates well-maintained survivals from heavily worn domestic items.
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The Old Silver Candle Holders Glossary
- Old Sheffield plate
- A composite material made by fusing silver and copper together through heat and pressure before rolling into sheets. This technique predates modern electroplating.
- Sconce
- A detachable pan fitted into the top of a candlestick to catch melting wax. Removable versions simplify the cleaning process.
- Chamberstick
- A low-profile candle holder equipped with a handle and a saucer base, originally used for lighting a person's way to bed.
- Taper candlestick
- A slender holder designed specifically for thin wax tapers used in sealing letters or lighting other lamps.
- Candelabra
- A branched lighting fixture holding multiple candles on a single base. These often feature removable arms to convert into standard candlesticks.
Old Silver Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
What is Old Sheffield plate?
Old Sheffield plate is an early form of silver plating created by thermally fusing a layer of sterling silver to a copper ingot. The bonded metal is then rolled into sheets and worked into various decorative forms.
This method differs fundamentally from nineteenth-century electroplating by showing distinct copper edges where seams meet or where polishing has occurred over generations.
How do telescopic candlesticks work?
Telescopic candlesticks feature a sliding inner shaft that raises or lowers the candle height using an internal friction sleeve or screw mechanism. This allowed users to adjust the flame level as the candle burned down.
When operating these, turn or pull the upper section gently to avoid straining the historic soldered joints inside the column.
Are removable sconces important?
Removable sconces are significant because they catch wax drips and protect the main capital of the candlestick during use. Finding a pair with their original matching sconces intact adds to the completeness of the piece.
These small pans lifted out easily for cleaning away hardened wax residue after evening use.
Can I use real candles in them?
Real candles can be used provided the diameter matches the nozzle or socket of the holder without forcing. Dripping wax should be removed with warm water rather than scraping with metal tools.
Ensure candles fit securely to prevent leaning, which can cause hot wax to run down the sides of the silver surface.