Rococo Silver Candelabrum
These rococo silver candelabrum pieces bring exuberant curves and heavy branch work to a room, offering the quintessential 19th-century dining table centrepiece.
Rococo Silver Candelabrum
When you search for a rococo silver candelabrum, you are looking at multi-branched lighting fixtures that draw heavily on asymmetrical scrollwork, naturalistic foliage, and figural elements such as cherubs. The pieces appearing here span the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, with Victorian Rococo Revival and French styles dominating the selection.
Makers such as Smith & Sissons & Co, Blagden, Hodgson & Co, and Elkington represent the height of production across these periods. Whether configured with three, four, or six lights, each object relies on the energetic, swirling motifs characteristic of the Louis XV revival.
Assessing quality and finish
Quality rests primarily in the crispness of the chased detail and the depth of the metalwork beneath the plating. Superior examples retain sharp definition in the scrolls and foliage, whereas lesser pieces show smoothed contours from over-polishing or hurried casting.
The structural robustness of the branching arms and the presence of original detachable sconces dictate desirability. Masterworks by firms like Elkington demonstrate superior weight, balanced proportions, and careful integration of figural elements without clumsy solder joints.
Rococo Silver Candelabrum Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for rococo silver candelabrum 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 feature pieces spanning from the Regency era through the Edwardian period, with Victorian Rococo Revival dominating the material evidence.
Smith & Sissons & Co·Blagden Hodgson And Co·Elkington
The Rococo Silver Candelabrum Glossary
- Candelabra
- A branched candlestick holding multiple lights. These fixtures often feature removable top sections to function as simple single candlesticks.
- Old Sheffield plate
- A method of fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper core by heat and pressure. This technique predates modern electroplating and produces a warm, durable finish.
- Electroplated nickel silver
- A base metal alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc coated with a layer of silver using an electrical current. It became widely utilised for tableware and lighting during the Victorian period.
- Sconce
- A wall-mounted lighting fixture designed to hold candles. In rococo revivals, these pieces mirror the scrollwork and asymmetrical motifs found on larger table candelabra.
- Rococo Revival
- A design movement originating in the mid-nineteenth century that imitated the ornate, fluid curves of the eighteenth-century French Louis XV style. It favours natural forms, C-scrolls, and shell motifs.
Rococo Silver Candelabrum: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean a silver plated candelabrum safely?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver polish formulated specifically for plated items. Vigorous rubbing can wear through the thin silver layer down to the underlying copper or nickel.
Avoid soaking pieces in chemical dips, particularly those with detachable components or weighted bases, as moisture trapped inside causes internal corrosion.
Are these candelabra wired for electricity?
The majority of pieces listed remain configured strictly for wax candles, preserving their original appearance and function. Some variations include candelabrum lamps, but standard dining table centrepieces are designed for traditional flame.
Conversion is possible through professional lighting specialists, though purists prefer keeping the branches free of modern wiring to maintain historical integrity.
How can I tell a Victorian revival piece from an original eighteenth-century one?
Nineteenth-century revival pieces often utilise electroplated nickel silver or standard silver plate over base metals, whereas authentic eighteenth-century French pieces are typically heavy cast solid silver. Maker marks, registry stamps, and construction techniques reveal the exact manufacturing period.
The weight, crispness of the casting sand textures, and specific screw threads also help separate Victorian interpretations from earlier French originals.
Can I use modern candles in antique sockets?
Standard modern taper candles often vary in width and may not fit snugly into antique sockets without trimming or the use of discreet candle rings. Ensuring the candle stands upright prevents wax from dripping onto delicate chased silver plating.
Securing loose candles with small paper shims or beeswax helps prevent them from leaning while burning during dinner parties.