Pair Sheffield Candlesticks
These pair sheffield candlesticks combine Georgian elegance with practical lighting, offering matched illumination crafted from silver plate or sterling silver.
Pair Sheffield Candlesticks
A pair sheffield candlesticks search reveals matched pairs of lighting fixtures originating from the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. These pieces appear frequently in Old Sheffield Plate alongside solid sterling silver and later silver-plated brass or copper.
Forms range from simple taper sticks and telescopic columns to elaborate three-light and four-light candelabra. Buyers encounter chamber candlesticks with fitted snuffers as well as grand columnar and lyre-shaped designs intended for formal dining tables.
The selection encompasses Georgian, Regency, and Victorian aesthetics, often incorporating Neoclassical or Rococo Revival ornamentation. Many examples feature removable sconces and matching branch extensions that convert standard candlesticks into multi-light candelabra.
How They Were Made
Early items utilise Old Sheffield Plate, a technique fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper ingot before rolling and shaping the metal. This method leaves characteristic copper seams visible where the silver edge wraps around joints or bobeches.
Solid sterling silver versions employ traditional casting and spinning techniques, subsequently finished with hand-chased detailing and hallmarked for assay office, date, and maker. Weighted bases filled with resin, wood, or plaster provide stability to upright stems.
Pair Sheffield Candlesticks Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair sheffield candlesticks 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.
Materials span copper, sterling silver, and Old Sheffield Plate across Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods.
What Varies in Quality
The crispness of cast or chased ornamentation dictates visual hierarchy, with finer examples displaying sharp leaf motifs, gadrooning, and bead work without smoothing from over-cleaning. Substantial weight and rigid structural integrity separate robust dining table suites from lighter domestic variants.
In plated wares, the preservation of the silver layer over the underlying copper base determines desirability. Examples retaining original detachable drip pans and matching multi-light branch attachments command greater appreciation among collectors.
Matthew Boulton·Thomas Bradbury And Sons Ltd·James Dixon And Sons·Elkington·William Hutton And Sons·Walker Knowles·Blagden Hodgson And Co·Fordham And Faulkner
The Pair Sheffield Candlesticks Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A composite material created by fusing silver and copper together through heat and pressure before rolling into sheets. This precursor to electroplating defines eighteenth and early nineteenth-century production.
- Telescopic
- A mechanism allowing the shaft of the candlestick to extend or retract in height for different lighting needs. These adjustable columns appear frequently in Regency and Georgian designs.
- Sconce
- The detachable tray or nozzle fitted into the top of a candlestick to catch melting wax. Removable sconces help preserve the main body during cleaning.
- Chamber candlestick
- A low candleholder equipped with a saucer base and a ring handle for carrying through hallways at night. Many retain a small metal extinguisher cone resting in a dedicated clip.
- Candelabra
- A branched lighting fixture holding multiple candles simultaneously. Some antique examples feature removable arms that convert single candlesticks into multi-light candelabra.
Pair Sheffield Candlesticks: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert these candlesticks to electricity?
While historic pieces can be adapted with internal wiring, permanent alterations typically diminish collectible value. Many collectors prefer utilising traditional wax candles or uninvasive adaptor sleeves.
If conversion is necessary, consult a specialist to ensure original components remain undamaged and unaltered.
What is the difference between silver plate and Old Sheffield Plate?
Old Sheffield Plate involves physically fusing a sheet of silver to a copper core prior to forming the object. This technique creates a durable sandwich of metals with distinct physical properties.
Later silver plating relies on electrodeposition, coating a base metal like brass or copper with a thin layer of silver via an electrical current.
How do I identify telescopic candlesticks?
Telescopic candlesticks feature a sliding upper shaft that moves smoothly within the lower column. This allows the height of the piece to adjust upward or downward.
Inspect the sliding joint carefully for secure friction stops that hold the candle at the desired elevation.