Rococo Silver Candelabra
Rococo silver candelabra bring fluid, asymmetrical curves and elaborate ornamentation to a dining table.
Rococo Silver Candelabra
These rococo silver candelabra encompass multi-branch table centrepieces, wall sconces and paired candlesticks executed in revival styles. The selection leans heavily towards nineteenth-century Victorian and French interpretations, alongside Regency and twentieth-century examples.
Most entries utilise silver plating, Old Sheffield plate or electroplated nickel silver over base metals, though giltwood, bronze and silvered metal also appear. Buyers encounter forms ranging from simple twin-light branches to large multi-branch dining centrepieces with detachable sconces.
Objects carrying this description frequently incorporate figural elements such as cherubs, alongside ornate scrolling foliage typical of Louis XV and Rococo Revival aesthetics. Pieces span the Regency period through to the nineteen-thirties.
Materials and construction
Manufacturers built these objects using base metals like copper and nickel silver, subsequently applying silver plating or electroplated nickel silver layers to achieve a precious metal finish. Older Regency items utilise Old Sheffield plate, fusing a thin sheet of silver to a copper core.
Alternative items employ cast bronze, carved giltwood or silvered metal to render the intricate scrolls and figural cherubs. Makers constructed larger dining table centrepieces with detachable sconces and multiple branch configurations to allow modular cleaning and maintenance.
Rococo Silver Candelabra Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for rococo silver candelabra 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.
Listings span the Regency era, the nineteenth century including Victorian revivals, up to the nineteen-thirties.
Assessing quality in execution
The distinction between tiers rests upon the crispness of the chased and cast ornamentation, particularly around the asymmetrical scrolls and figural details like cherubs. Heavier gauge base metals and substantial silver plating layers separate robust dining table centrepieces from lighter domestic items.
Makers known for high output, such as Elkington or Smith & Sissons & Co, demonstrate superior joinery in multi-branch configurations and secure seating for detachable sconces. Balance and structural stability under the weight of multiple candle sockets indicate thoughtful fabrication.
Smith & Sissons & Co·Blagden Hodgson & Co·Elkington
The Rococo Silver Candelabra Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- A composite material made by fusing a thin sheet of sterling silver to a thicker copper base before rolling into sheets.
- Electroplated Nickel Silver
- A base alloy of copper, nickel and zinc coated with a layer of silver via an electrolytic process.
- Sconce
- A wall-mounted bracket designed to hold one or more candles, or a removable cup catching wax at the top of a branch.
- Centrepiece
- A large decorative object placed in the middle of a dining table, often functioning as a multi-branch candelabra.
- Rococo Revival
- A nineteenth-century design movement resurrecting the ornate, asymmetrical scrolls and natural motifs of the mid-eighteenth-century French court.
Rococo Silver Candelabra: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver plated candelabra?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver cleaner designed for plated items to preserve the metallic surface.
Avoid aggressive scrubbing that might wear through the thin silver layer down to the underlying base metal.
Are these candelabra suitable for daily dining use?
Sturdy multi-branch examples function well on dining tables, provided you place protective mats underneath to catch wax drips.
Ensure detachable sconces fit securely into the arms before lighting candles.
What is the difference between silver plate and Old Sheffield plate?
Old Sheffield plate involves mechanically fusing silver to copper sheets prior to forming, resulting in a visible copper seam on edges.
Standard silver plating applies the precious metal electrically to a finished base metal shape later in production.
How do I distinguish Victorian revival pieces from original French rococo?
Victorian revival items often carry English maker marks and exhibition numbers alongside nineteenth-century registration stamps.
French rococo pieces typically display distinct domestic foundry stamps and stylistic nuances from the Louis XV era or later revivals.