Repousse Silver Candlesticks
Repousse silver candlesticks are heavy metal table lights decorated with raised hammered ornament, offering an instant touch of period elegance to any room.
What repousse silver candlesticks are
Repousse silver candlesticks comprise pairs of table lights shaped from sterling silver, silver plate, electroplated nickel silver, or base metal. They emerge primarily from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, spanning the nineteenth century and the opening years of the twentieth century.
The inventory on this page showcases specific forms, including miniature designs, low profiles, and full-height pairs. English Art Nouveau styling also appears among the Edwardian items, displaying the fluid decorative lines typical of the period.
Buyers seeking repousse silver candlesticks will find that matching pairs dominate the selection. These items reflect the domestic lighting needs and ornamental tastes of late nineteenth and early twentieth-century British households.
How they were made
The manufacture of these pieces involves working metal from the reverse side to push the design outward into relief. Artisans utilise sterling silver or apply silver plating over base metals and electroplated nickel silver to achieve the desired finish.
Makers combine repousse hammer work with chased surface detailing to create depth and texture on the candlestick stems and bases. This laborious method requires careful hand manipulation of the metal while maintaining structural balance for holding candles safely.
Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical UK retail prices for repousse silver candlesticks, calculated from the Sellingantiques database of over a million retail prices indexed since 2003. This retail price guide relies exclusively on Sellingantiques data; no external sources or auction records are used, so the figures do not describe the wider market.
Miniature Victorian candlesticks prove that nineteenth-century diners appreciated tiny sources of light just as much as grand ones.
What varies in quality
Quality in repousse silver candlesticks rests on the crispness of the hammered relief and the weight of the metal used. Pieces forged from solid sterling silver command greater regard than those executed in silver plate over base metal.
The refinement of the chased patterns separates standard production pieces from finer examples. Superior execution shows clean, sharp botanical or abstract motifs without distortion from the hammering process.
The Repousse Silver Candlesticks Glossary
- Repousse
- A metalworking technique where the artisan hammers the design from the reverse side to create a raised pattern on the front. This method allows for sculptural decoration on domestic objects.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of pure silver combined with small quantities of other metals to increase durability. Items made to this standard typically bear official hallmarks.
- Silver plate
- A thin layer of silver bonded to a base metal core such as copper or nickel. This technique provided an affordable alternative to solid silver items.
- Art Nouveau
- An international decorative style characterised by flowing, organic lines inspired by natural forms. It appears on pieces dating around the nineteen-hundreds.
- Electroplated nickel silver
- A base metal alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc coated with a layer of silver via an electrolytic process. This material became common for nineteenth-century tableware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What periods do these candlesticks come from?
The pieces available on this page originate from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Dates stretch from the nineteenth century into the early nineteen-hundreds.
Specific examples reflect stylistic shifts across these decades, ranging from mid-nineteenth-century Victorian designs to turn-of-the-century Art Nouveau items.
Are these items sold as pairs?
The listings on this page consist entirely of pairs. Buyers acquire matched sets of two lights ready for mantelpiece or dining table placement.
Matching pairs formed the standard setup for domestic illumination during the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
What metals are used for these candlesticks?
Construction materials include sterling silver, silver plate, electroplated nickel silver, and general metal. Solid silver examples sit alongside plated alternatives.
Each material option reflects the manufacturing standards and budgets of the original Victorian and Edwardian makers.
How do I identify Art Nouveau examples?
Art Nouveau candlesticks feature characteristic flowing lines and naturalistic motifs. These pieces date around nineteen hundred and break away from rigid historical revivals.
Look for sinuous curves and stylized floral patterns that define this specific turn-of-the-century aesthetic.