Silver Column Candle Holders
Silver column candle holders bring architectural form to the dining table, pairing classical proportions with the gleam of polished metal.
Silver Column Candle Holders
Silver column candle holders draw on classical architecture, most frequently adopting the Corinthian order with fluted shafts and elaborate capitals. These pieces appear largely as pairs from the Victorian and Edwardian periods, though earlier Georgian examples and German or French continental works also occur. Buyers looking for this phrase meet candlesticks and multi-light candelabra designed to elevate the candle source above the surface of a table or mantelpiece.
The selection ranges from smaller desk candlesticks standing eight inches tall to substantial four-light candelabra intended for formal dining rooms. Many retain removable silver sconces, the small drip pans inserted at the top of the shaft to catch melted wax. Forms extend beyond standard candlesticks to include specialty items such as reflector candle lamps and extending shafts.
Materials and construction
Makers produced these pieces using either solid sterling silver or base metals coated in silver. Sterling examples carry full British hallmarks indicating the assay office, standard, and date letter, whilst plated pieces rely on silver plate, Old Sheffield Plate, or copper foundations. Old Sheffield Plate involves fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper core, a method visible at exposed cut edges where the copper shows underneath.
Columns often require weighted bases filled with resin, plaster, or wood to provide stability for the tall upright shaft. Metalworking techniques include casting for capitals and bases, alongside spinning or rolling for the cylindrical columns. Silvered bronze and brass appear among continental and alternative workshop productions, offering similar architectural dignity without the silver standard.
Silver Column Candle Holders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver column 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.
Listings feature silver column candle holders spanning the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries, executed in sterling silver, silver plate, and Old Sheffield Plate.
Judging execution and finish
Quality rests upon the crispness of the casting in the acanthus leaves and volutes of the capital, alongside the depth of hand-chasing applied to the fluted column. Mass-produced later pieces often display softened detail where the pattern has worn down through successive casting generations or over-zealous polishing. The weight and balance of the object, particularly in the junction between base and shaft, dictate its stability and physical presence.
The integrity of the silver coating matters significantly on plated examples, separating pieces with thick original plating from those where the base metal shows through heavy wear. Well-executed pieces retain tight joints, matching removable sconces stamped with corresponding marks, and straight columns that maintain proper vertical alignment without lean.
Garrard & Co·Mappin & Webb·John Pound & Co·Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd·William Hutton & Sons·Ferdinand Barbedienne·Conrad Eduard Mappe
The Silver Column Candle Holders Glossary
- Corinthian column
- A classical architectural column style distinguished by an ornate capital decorated with acanthus leaves and scrollwork. This order forms the predominant decorative template for silver column candle holders.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early method of fusing silver to a copper ingot before rolling them into sheets together. This technique predates electroplating and creates distinct edge profiles where the copper core remains visible.
- Sconce
- The detachable tray or pan fitted into the top of a candlestick to catch dripping wax. Removable sconces make cleaning easier and indicate higher quality manufacturing.
- Hallmark
- A stamped official mark applied by an assay office to guarantee the fineness of precious metal objects. British silver hallmarks identify the maker, town, and year of production.
Silver Column Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I date my silver column candle holders?
Dating relies primarily on British hallmarks stamped onto the silver surface, which indicate the exact assay year for sterling pieces. Stylistic shifts also help, as Georgian items show simpler lines while Victorian and Edwardian examples lean heavily into elaborate Neoclassical revival designs.
Plated items lack date letters and require assessment through base construction styles, weight, and any accompanying maker marks. Comparing the proportions and manufacturing techniques against documented pieces from firms like Mappin & Webb narrows down the production era.
What is Old Sheffield Plate?
Old Sheffield Plate is an early composite material created by fusing a thin layer of sterling silver to a thick copper ingot through heat and pressure. The combined metal was then rolled into sheets and worked into candlesticks.
This technique differs from later Victorian electroplating by showing a thin line of copper along cut edges or where wear has occurred. Pieces made this way date predominantly to the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Why are the bases weighted?
The tall, slender shafts of column candle holders create a high centre of gravity that would easily tip over without internal ballast. Manufacturers fill the hollow bases with plaster, resin, wood, or pitch to anchor the piece securely.
This weighting is standard practice across sterling silver and plated production alike. The underside is typically covered with green baize or felt to protect furniture surfaces from the weighted interior.
Are removable sconces important?
Removable sconces sit at the very top of the candlestick to catch melting wax before it runs down the fluted column. Having the original matching pair of sconces preserves the historical completeness and utility of the object.
Because these small pieces were easily separated or lost over generations, finding candlesticks that retain them adds to the desirability of the set.