Pair Silver Candle Holders
A pair silver candle holders brings symmetry and warm illumination to a room, drawing on centuries of metalworking skill.
Pair Silver Candle Holders
A pair silver candle holders spans forms from tall candlesticks to multi-light candelabra, wall sconces and convertible lamps. These pieces originate across the eighteenth, nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
The materials range from solid sterling silver and Old Sheffield Plate to silver plate, electroplated nickel silver, pewter and copper. Makers employ styles including Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian, Neoclassical and Arts & Crafts.
How They Were Made
Silversmiths formed solid sterling silver pieces by casting, hammering and soldering, often incorporating weighted bases for stability. Silver plate and Old Sheffield Plate required fusing thin layers of silver to copper or base metal matrices.
Pewter and bronze items utilised casting moulds followed by hand finishing, engraving or patination. Decorative elements such as Corinthian columns, figural mounts and rococo scrolls were cast separately and attached.
Pair Silver Candle Holders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for pair silver candle holders 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.
Some nineteenth-century pairs feature detachable nozzles designed to catch melting wax before it reached the table linen.
What Varies in Quality
The crispness of cast ornamentation and the depth of hand-chased detail distinguish finer examples from simpler production. Proportion, weight and the integrity of the soldered joints reflect the maker's standard of construction.
Preservation of the original silver layer on plated items and legible hallmarks or maker marks indicate provenance and standard of care over time.
Garrard & Co·Archibald Knox·Mappin & Webb·Matthew Boulton·James Fenton·John Cafe
The Pair Silver Candle Holders Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper, ensuring durability.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early form of composite metal made by fusing a sheet of silver to a copper ingot before rolling.
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple tapers or candles on a single central shaft.
- Corinthian column
- A classical architectural column style featuring ornate acanthus leaves on the capital, frequently emulated in candlestick stems.
- Hallmark
- Official stamps applied to precious metals indicating purity, place of assay and year of manufacture.
Pair Silver Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique silver candlesticks?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish specifically formulated for antiques to preserve the surface. Avoid harsh dips that strip away desirable patination.
Take care around weighted bases and soldered joints to prevent moisture ingress during the cleaning process.
Were these always sold in pairs?
Symmetry was paramount in historic interior design, so lighting devices were traditionally produced and purchased as matching pairs. Single survivors often lost their partner through breakage or dispersal over generations.
Matching sets of four occasionally appear for larger dining tables and formal mantelpieces.
How can I date a pair of candlesticks?
Examine the piece for hallmarks, maker marks and registration numbers stamped on the base or drip pan. Reference books and assay office records help match these stamps to specific years.
Stylistic indicators such as neoclassical columns or rococo curves also point toward specific design periods.
What is Old Sheffield Plate?
Old Sheffield Plate is a fused metal technique created before electroplating, where a sheet of silver is mechanically bonded to copper. Edges often reveal a thin line of copper where the base metal shows through underneath.
This method produced durable wares throughout the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.