Pair Taper Sticks
These pair antique taper sticks are small, refined holders designed for wax tapers, offering both practical utility and period elegance.
Pair Taper Sticks
When you search for pair antique taper sticks, you encounter small domestic lighting pieces designed specifically for holding slim wax tapers rather than heavy household candles. These items appear across Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, reflecting changing interior tastes over centuries.
The selections available include metals such as brass, copper, pewter, cast bronze, and silver plate, alongside ceramic examples from factories like Worcester and Ridgway. You also encounter treen versions turned from applewood, demonstrating the wide variety of materials utilised by makers.
The forms span simple seamed ejector designs, classical Corinthian columns, and neoclassical styles featuring marble or porcelain foliage. Most listings take the form of candlesticks adapted for smaller tapers, fulfilling desk and mantle lighting needs.
Materials and construction methods
Metal examples utilise casting, seaming, and plating techniques, with brass and pewter often formed in two parts before being joined. Silver and silver plate rely on deposition over base metals, while Old Sheffield Plate uses a fused sheet of silver upon copper.
Wooden treen versions are turned on a lathe from dense timbers like applewood, creating smooth profiles. Porcelain and ceramic pieces involve moulding, hand-painting, and glazing, particularly evident in Worcester and Ridgway productions.
Some taper sticks double as tiny columns, letting you feel like a giant ruling over a very small, well-lit empire.
Factors determining quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of casting detail, the weight of the metal used, and the survival of original surface finishes. Heavier castings and clean architectural proportions separate superior examples from standard production pieces.
The integrity of applied plating, the preservation of original detachable sconces, and the subtlety of turned wooden profiles dictate the standing of individual pairs within the market.
Garrard & Co·Mappin & Webb·Ridgway·Barr, Flight & Barr·J. Miller·John Pound & Co
The Pair Taper Sticks Glossary
- Taper stick
- A miniature candlestick designed to hold a thin wax taper used for sealing letters or lighting pipes. These small holders sit comfortably on writing desks.
- Sconce
- The detachable top pan of a candlestick that catches dripping wax and holds the candle firm. Originals matching the base are crucial for authenticity.
- Ejector
- A mechanism inside the stem that pushes out remaining candle sturdily via a small internal slide. This technical addition aids cleaning.
- Treen
- Small handmade wooden objects produced by turning or carving. Applewood frequently appears in these domestic items.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A fused composite material formed by melting a sheet of silver onto a copper base. This predates modern electroplating.
Pair Taper Sticks: Frequently Asked Questions
What distinguishes taper sticks from regular candlesticks?
Taper sticks possess significantly smaller dimensions, built specifically to hold slim wax tapers rather than heavy household candles. Their compact scale suits them for desk use and letter sealing.
Regular candlesticks tower over these diminutive holders, which prioritise portability and fine detail over sustained illumination.
How were taper sticks used historically?
People used these small holders to melt sealing wax on correspondence and to light pipes or hearth fires. They sat on writing desks and side tables for immediate convenience.
Their presence in domestic rooms provided a portable flame before gas lighting and electricity became widespread in homes.
How do I care for antique metal taper sticks?
Gentle dusting and minimal cleaning preserve the historical surface and natural patination built up over centuries. Avoid harsh chemical polishes that strip away age.
Silver-plated and brass items require soft cloths to maintain their finish without damaging delicate chasing or original plating layers.
Are removable sconces important on antique examples?
Removable drip pans enhance completeness and indicate original manufacture where the design incorporates them. Their survival adds to the integrity of the pair.
Many period pieces retain these matching components, which catch wax and protect the underlying stem during use.