Ornate Silver Candle Holders
Ornate silver candle holders bring undeniable weight to a room, offering the heavy forms and elaborate chasing that define period dining tables.
Ornate Silver Candle Holders
When you search for ornate silver candle holders, you encounter a distinct gathering of candlesticks, candelabras, chambersticks and centrepieces designed to elevate domestic lighting. These pieces span the Georgian, Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras, with nineteenth-century examples appearing most frequently.
The selection ranges from tall pairs of candlesticks to multi-light candelabras and low chambersticks. Makers employed styles such as Victorian Rococo Revival, Neoclassical and Art Nouveau, bringing sculptural depth to utilitarian objects.
Most items rely on silver plate, Old Sheffield plate or electroplated nickel silver over base metal or copper, alongside occasional sterling silver examples. The survival of these pieces demonstrates the enduring appeal of heavy domestic metalwork.
What separates the best examples
Quality rests upon the crispness of the chasing and the integrity of the underlying metalwork. Superior pieces retain deep, sharp relief in their scrollwork, foliage and figural motifs, whereas inferior or heavily polished items show softened contours where the plating has worn down to the base metal.
The weight of the piece and the balance of its construction also dictate worth. Substantial casting and sturdy joints ensure the holder supports heavy candles safely without listing.
The selection spans periods from 1800 through the 1900 Edwardian era, featuring materials such as silver plate, copper, brass and nickel silver.
Smith & Sissons & Co·Elkington·Blagden, Hodgson & Co
The Ornate Silver Candle Holders Glossary
- Candlestick
- A portable upright support designed to hold a single candle in a socket above a broadened base. Many examples incorporate removable drip pans to catch melting wax.
- Candelabra
- A branched decorative stand or candlestick that holds multiple candles simultaneously. These often feature detachable arms that convert them into standard single candlesticks.
- Chamberstick
- A low, short-stemmed candlestick fitted with a wide saucer base and a small handle for carrying around a bedroom. They frequently include a small metal extinguisher cone.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early composite material created by fusing a thin layer of sterling silver to a copper core. This technique predates modern electroplating.
- Electroplated Nickel Silver
- A base metal alloy of copper, nickel and zinc coated with a layer of pure silver through electrolysis. This method became widespread during the Victorian era.
- Sconce
- A wall-mounted bracket designed to hold lights or candles. In older usage, the term also refers to the socket at the top of a candlestick that receives the candle.
Ornate Silver Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean tarnished silver plate?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish formulated specifically for plated items. Avoid harsh abrasives that strip the remaining silver layer from the base metal.
Work slowly around raised details and chasing without applying excessive pressure. Rinse with lukewarm water and dry immediately to prevent spotting.
What is the difference between a candlestick and a candelabra?
A candlestick holds one single candle upright on a dedicated shaft and base. A candelabra provides multiple arms branching from a central stem to support several candles at once.
Many period examples feature removable branches, allowing them to function as either single sticks or multi-light pieces.
How can I tell a Victorian piece from a Georgian one?
Georgian and Regency items often display restrained classical lines, simpler silver-plate manufacturing methods like Old Sheffield plate, and lighter proportions. Victorian examples lean towards heavier casting and ornate Rococo Revival or Neoclassical ornamentation.
Stylistic cues combined with base metal characteristics usually point toward the correct manufacturing decade.