Pair Candelabra Lamps
Pair candelabra lamps combine lighting function with branched candle holders, originating as earlier lighting converted for electricity or built for purpose.
Pair Candelabra Lamps
These pair candelabra lamps span the nineteenth century, the Victorian era, the Regency period, and early twentieth-century decades up to nineteen thirty. Pieces appear in forms such as table lamps, floor candelabras, candlesticks, and girandoles.
The selection ranges from French chateau and rococo revival styles to neoclassical, arts and crafts, and second empire designs. Many examples originate as earlier lighting converted to table lamps.
Buyers encounter twin-arm, triple light, and multi-branch configurations, often featuring figures like cherubs, putti, or mermen alongside standard candleholders.
Materials and construction methods
Metalwork dominates the construction, utilising brass, bronze, gilt bronze, ormolu, cast iron, and silvered or gilded wood. These metals are often cast, chased, and gilded to achieve ornate surface detail.
Glass and crystal elements, including cut glass components and table chandelier drops, complement the metal frames. Fabric shades or wiring additions complete the conversion to electrical operation.
Object types span table lamps, girandoles, floor candelabras, and candlesticks with up to eight branches.
Quality variations in production
The integration of materials such as marble bases, cut crystal drops, and original gilding dictates the overall calibre of the piece.
François-Christophe-Armand Toussaint·Clarkes
The Pair Candelabra Lamps Glossary
- Ormolu
- Gilt bronze produced by applying a mercury and gold amalgam to a bronze base, creating a durable golden surface. This technique appears frequently on French pieces.
- Girandole
- A branched candleholder or light fixture incorporating a mirror or reflective backplate to amplify illumination. These items often feature crystal drops.
- Torchère
- A tall ornamental stand or candelabrum designed to hold a light source. Figurative examples often depict cherubs holding the sconces.
- Cricklite
- A proprietary brand of patent table lamp utilising cut glass and brass. Clarkes produced these systems during the late Victorian period.
Pair Candelabra Lamps: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a pair candelabra lamp?
These objects combine branched candle holders with electrical lamp fittings, either built originally for illumination or converted from older lighting.
They provide balanced dual lighting for side tables, mantelpieces, or grand dining spaces.
How do I style these lamps?
Place matching pairs on either end of a sideboard or console table to create symmetrical illumination. Their decorative metal and crystal components suit traditional and eclectic interiors alike.
Ensure the scale matches the surrounding furniture, as many examples possess a substantial height and branch span.
Are these lamps safely electrified?
Many historical pieces have undergone conversion from gas or candles to modern wiring over time. Buyers should inspect the electrical components and consult a professional for testing.
Rewired examples maintain their antique frames while meeting current safety standards.
How do I date these pieces?
Dating relies on stylistic markers such as neoclassical motifs, rococo curves, or arts and crafts simplicity. Materials like cast iron, cut crystal, and patinated bronze also point to specific nineteenth and early twentieth-century decades.
Maker signatures or registration marks occasionally provide exact chronological clues.