Silver Column Candlesticks Pair
These silver column candlesticks pair examples bring classical architectural dignity to a dining table or mantelpiece.
Silver Column Candlesticks Pair
When searching for a silver column candlesticks pair, collectors encounter items spanning the eighteenth century through the early twentieth century, with Victorian and Edwardian examples appearing most frequently.
The form draws directly on classical architecture, most notably featuring Corinthian, reeded, and plain panelled shafts rising from stepped or square bases.
Originating largely from British workshops and silversmiths, these pairs serve both functional lighting roles and decorative display functions within period interiors.
Methods and materials
Construction relies heavily on sterling silver and silver plate, often utilising Old Sheffield Plate for eighteenth-century and early nineteenth-century pieces alongside later electroplated metal bases.
Manufacturing techniques combine casting for decorative capitals and weighted bases with sheet metal forming for the central shafts, frequently incorporating internal wooden or resin cores for stability.
Silver Column Candlesticks Pair Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver column candlesticks pair 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 pairs incorporate tortoise shell mounts or lyre-shaped branches for holding multiple candles.
Assessing quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of architectural detailing in the capital and the structural integrity of the column relative to its base.
Heavier gauge silver and substantial weighted construction distinguish superior examples from lighter, more utilitarian counterparts, while well-preserved hallmarks or original removable sconces add considerable distinction.
Garrard & Co·Mappin & Webb·John Pound & Co·Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd·William Hutton & Sons·Ferdinand Barbedienne·Fordham & Faulkner·James Dixon & Sons
The Silver Column Candlesticks Pair Glossary
- Corinthian capital
- The ornate, bell-shaped top of a column decorated with acanthus leaves and scrolls. This classical order remains the most frequent decorative capital found on these pairs.
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early fusing technique where a sheet of silver is fused to a copper base before rolling. This method characterises eighteenth-century pieces.
- Sconce
- The detachable metal pan fitted into the top of a candlestick to catch dripping wax. Original matching sconces complete the pairing.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp indicating the metal purity, assay office, and year of manufacture. British sterling pieces usually display these marks clearly on the base or nozzle.
- Reeded column
- A shaft carved or formed with parallel convex moulding running vertically. This style provides subtle texture compared to plain columns.
Silver Column Candlesticks Pair: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean antique silver candlesticks?
Use a soft microfibre cloth and a reputable silver cream designed for antiques, applying minimal pressure to preserve raised details and plating.
Avoid harsh chemical dips that strip away desirable patination or damage weighted resin interiors.
Why are columns weighted at the base?
Makers filled the hollow bases with resin, pitch, or wood to provide necessary counterbalance and stability for tall upright candle holders.
This construction method prevents the tall shafts from tipping easily during use.
How can I date my candlesticks?
Hallmarks on sterling silver pieces provide precise assay office letters and date codes corresponding to specific years of production.
Style indicators such as neoclassical revival motifs or column fluting help narrow down unmarked silver-plated examples.