Pair of Candleholders
A pair of candleholders brings symmetry and warm illumination to a room, ranging from simple domestic brass to ornate French gilt bronze.
Pair of Candleholders
When you search for a pair of candleholders, you encounter a diverse array of lighting forms designed for balance and utility. The selections span simple domestic items to elaborate display pieces from various periods.
The versions you are most likely to meet on this page include nineteenth-century brass candlesticks, silver-plated designs, and Edwardian examples. These items reflect domestic habits across the Victorian, Georgian, and Regency eras.
Forms extend beyond standard candlesticks to incorporate wall sconces, candelabra, and mantel lustres adorned with glass drops. Each type served a specific function in lighting homes before the widespread adoption of electricity.
Materials and Techniques
Metals form the core of the selection, with brass, sterling silver, silver plate, and pewter cast or beaten into shape. Ormolu and gilt bronze frequently appear on continental pieces, often paired with white marble bases.
Manufacturing methods combined founding, turning on a lathe, and detailed hand chasing for decorative motifs. Ceramic examples also emerge in hard paste porcelain and blanc de Chine, moulded into figures or classical columns.
Judging Quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the casting and the weight of the metal utilised in the construction. Finer examples display sharp chasing and well-balanced proportions rather than rushed surface decoration.
The integrity of the material matters, particularly with silver plate or mercury gilding where wear reveals the base metal. Original components, matched pairs, and unpolished surfaces elevate the standing of a piece.
Hawksworth Eyre·Pierre Philippe Thomire·Bruce Talbert·Sylvain Kinsburger·Nymphenburg
The Pair of Candleholders Glossary
- Ormolu
- Gilded bronze, commonly applied to decorative metalwork during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. This technique involved the application of a mercury and gold amalgam to a bronze base.
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple lights on a single stem. These fixtures often stood centrally on dining tables or mantelpieces.
- Lustre
- A candlestick or tabletop ornament hung with cut glass prisms designed to reflect candlelight. They frequently date from the Victorian period.
- Sconce
- A candleholder fixed to a wall rather than resting on a surface. These pieces often incorporated a backplate to reflect the light.
- Ejector
- A small internal mechanism inside a brass candlestick shaft that raised the candle stub for removal. This device assisted users in clearing spent wax.
Pair of Candleholders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique brass candleholders?
Warm soapy water and a soft cloth suffice for removing surface dirt without disturbing the aged tone. Avoid harsh chemical polishes that strip away historical patina.
Dry the metal thoroughly after washing to prevent spotting or corrosion on older brass surfaces.
Were these items used for dining tables?
Tall candlesticks and multi-branched candelabra provided principal illumination for evening meals in large rooms. Paired arrangements offered balanced light across the table setting.
Shorter chambersticks and low sticks moved easily between rooms to light hallways and bedchambers.
How do I date a pair of candlesticks?
Hallmarks on silver items provide precise assay years and maker marks for accurate dating. Style indicators, construction methods, and base weights help date unmarked brass and bronze examples.
Georgian pieces often feature wider square bases, while Victorian designs favour heavier ornamentation and figural motifs.
Can I use standard candles in antique holders?
Sockets varied in diameter across different periods, meaning modern candles occasionally require minor trimming at the base. Using a small piece of card or beeswax ensures a secure fit in older apertures.
Checking the socket size prevents modern tapers from leaning or falling while lit.