Pair Crystal Sconces
Pair crystal sconces bring measured illumination and refractive brilliance to a room, drawing the eye upwards with period detail.
Pair Crystal Sconces
Pair crystal sconces are matched wall-mounted light fittings designed to hold candles or electric bulbs, predominantly seen in French styles from the early twentieth century alongside nineteenth century examples.
A buyer examining this page encounters wall lights, girandoles and wall chandeliers in twin arm, triple arm and single configurations.
The materials span brass, gilt bronze, cut glass and crystal, frequently arranged with glass drops, lustres and mirror backs.
How they were made
Metalwork frames in brass, gilt bronze, ormolu and toleware provide the structural armature, shaped into floral, scroll or architectural forms.
Glass elements rely on cut crystal and moulded glass drops, pinned to the metal frames with wire to catch and refract light.
Gilding and carved wood appear in Florentine and French variants to finish the surfaces.
Pair Crystal Sconces Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair crystal sconces among the pieces listed under this phrase on Sellingantiques today, from the lower quarter to the upper quarter. They describe what is for sale here now, not the wider market.
Cherubs occasionally peek out from behind the candle arms, watching over the evening glow.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the cast bronze or carved giltwood and the depth of hand-cut facets on the crystal drops.
Substantial weight in the metal arms and well-integrated mirror backs separate finer workshop output from simpler domestic production.
Maison Baguès·F. & C. Osler·Baccarat
The Pair Crystal Sconces Glossary
- Girandole
- An ornamental branched wall light or candle holder with a mirror back. The reflective glass plate multiplies the candle power in the room.
- Lustre
- A glass pendant or drop hung from a light fitting. These cut pieces refract the light source to create sparkle.
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze used for decorative mounts and frames. The technique involves applying a gold amalgam to bronze.
- Toleware
- Painted or lacquered sheet metal items. This material introduces colour and soft finishes to wall lights.
- Spike
- A vertical metal prong designed to hold a candle securely in place. This element appears on older wall light designs.
Pair Crystal Sconces: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I wire antique wall lights?
Many period wall lights require professional rewiring to meet modern safety standards while retaining their original brass or gilt bronze backplates.
Qualified electricians can thread modern flex through the existing arms without damaging the historical metalwork.
Were these lights originally for candles?
Numerous nineteenth and early twentieth century examples began life holding wax candles before later conversion to electricity.
Candle cups and drip pans often survive on pieces that now house lamp holders.
Where should I mount crystal sconces?
These fixtures suit placement beside mirrors, fireplaces or flanking doorways where the cut glass drops can reflect surrounding room light.
Height placement depends on ceiling proportions and whether the sconces incorporate mirror backs.
How do I clean cut crystal drops?
Crystal pendants benefit from gentle washing with warm water and mild soap while still attached, or removal for individual cleaning.
Careful drying prevents water spots on the cut facets and preserves the wire fixings.