Pair of Glass Candlesticks
A pair of glass candlesticks brings balanced illumination and reflective brilliance to a dining table or mantelpiece.
Pair of Glass Candlesticks
A pair of glass candlesticks encompasses everything from simple domestic holders to elaborate display pieces designed for formal rooms. The selection includes tall column forms, geometric shapes, and candlesticks fitted with matching bases or storm shades.
Victorian and Edwardian examples dominate the offerings, frequently appearing alongside 1930s Art Deco pressed glass and earlier Georgian or Regency specimens. Many of these pairs incorporate hanging glass drops or serve as mantel lustres and candelabra.
Makers combined glass with supportive mounts in brass, bronze, nickel-silver, and silver-plate, anchoring the fragile components in sturdy metal frames. Colour variety spans clear crystal, ruby red, cranberry, Bristol blue, opal, and uranium glass.
Materials and construction
Glass components were shaped through blowing, pressing, or cutting, utilising crystal and coloured glass bodies that catch and refract candlelight. Cut-glass items feature hand-ground facets, while Art Deco pieces often show the distinct smooth surfaces of mould-pressing.
Metal mounts in brass, ormolu, gilt bronze, and nickel-silver provide structural support, secured to the glass shafts or bases with threaded rods and pins. Lustre pairs are further assembled with wire loops that suspend glass prisms around the bobeche.
Materials span crystal, ruby glass, brass, gilt bronze, and nickel-silver across Victorian, Regency, and Art Deco styles.
Assessing quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the glass cutting, the clarity of the material, and the harmony of the matched pair. Superior examples display deep, sharp facets and uniform weight, whereas lesser pieces show surface ripples or minor moulding seams.
The integration of metal hardware also dictates standard, with finely chased or gilded bronze mounts elevating the piece above standard plated brass. Completeness matters greatly in pairs featuring dangling drops, hurricane shades, or chimneys.
R Lalique·Clarke
The Pair of Glass Candlesticks Glossary
- Lustre
- A decorative candlestick or urn hung with cut-glass pendants designed to reflect candlelight. These glass prisms refract the illumination to create a sparkling display.
- Bobeche
- A small glass collar or drip pan fitted just below the candle socket. It catches melted wax before it reaches the stem or base.
- Cricklite
- A patented Victorian table lamp system utilising glass shades and candle holders. Clarke produced these multi-branch fittings for domestic lighting.
- Mercury glass
- Double-walled blown glass coated on the inside with a silver-mercury liquid solution to create a reflective mirror finish. This technique gained popularity during the nineteenth century.
- Storm shade
- A tall glass cylinder or chimney placed around the candle flame to prevent flickering from drafts. They appear frequently on nineteenth-century table lamps and candelabra.
Pair of Glass Candlesticks: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique glass candlesticks safely?
Wash glass components gently in warm soapy water using a soft cloth, avoiding harsh abrasives that might scratch the surface.
Keep metal mounts dry and polish them separately with appropriate metal care products to prevent moisture damage.
What is the difference between a candlestick and a lustre?
A standard candlestick holds a single candle to provide direct illumination for a table or desk.
A lustre includes hanging glass drops around the socket that scatter candlelight and add decorative brilliance to a room.
How do I date a pair of glass candlesticks?
Examine the manufacturing technique, as mould seams, hand-cut facets, and base pontil marks indicate specific production eras.
Accompanying metal mounts and glass colours like cranberry or uranium also point directly towards Victorian or Art Deco periods.