Silver Plated Dining Candlesticks
Silver plated dining candlesticks bring structured illumination to the table, combining heavy metal bases with a polished coat.
Silver Plated Dining Candlesticks
Silver plated dining candlesticks comprise paired and grouped lighting pieces designed to sit upon the dining table during meals. These objects emerge across the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, spanning Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and later decades.
The inventory on this page shows single candlesticks, tall pillar forms, low taper holders, and multi-branched candelabras accommodating up to five lights. Many feature detachable sconces or conversion elements that allow a candelabra to function as a simpler candlestick.
Stylistically, pieces draw on classical motifs such as the Regency and Neoclassical revivals alongside ornate Victorian ornamentation. Buyers encounter pairs and larger sets intended to balance opposite ends of a formal table or sideboard.
Materials and construction
Makers formed these pieces from base metals such as copper, brass, and nickel silver, later applying silver plate through electroplating or the older Old Sheffield Plate method of fusing thin silver sheets to copper.
Electroplated nickel silver, also known as EPNS, provides a durable foundation for many Victorian and Edwardian examples. Earlier Georgian pieces frequently utilise Old Sheffield Plate, where the copper edge may show through slightly at areas of heavy wear.
Structural integrity relies on weighted bases filled with pitch, resin, or plaster to maintain balance when tall shafts support heavy multi-light branches. Detachable sconces catch melting wax and allow straightforward cleaning of the nozzle area.
Listings span periods from the eighteenth century to the 1940s, featuring silver plate, copper, and nickel silver across single candlesticks and multi-light candelabras.
Evaluating quality and execution
Quality rests upon the thickness and durability of the silver plating layer applied over the base metal. Superior examples retain their complete silver skin, whilst inferior pieces display extensive base metal show-through from polishing.
Casting crispness defines better work, visible in the sharpness of acanthus leaves, reeding on column shafts, and cast mounts. Finer multi-light candelabras integrate branching arms securely without visible solder lines or weak joints.
Maker marks stamped into the base or nozzle indicate workshop provenance. Pieces bearing stamps from recognised firms demonstrate higher manufacturing standards than unmarked merchant stock.
Garrard & Co·Smith & Sissons·Barker Ellis·Elkington & Co·Blagden Hodgson & Co
The Silver Plated Dining Candlesticks Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early plating method fusing a thin sheet of silver to a copper core by heat and pressure. The technique creates a layered material where copper undertones often reveal themselves over time.
- EPNS
- Electroplated nickel silver, a metal alloy base coated with a layer of pure silver through an electrical bath. This process superseded older fused plating methods from the mid-nineteenth century onward.
- Sconce
- The detachable top pan or nozzle fitted into the upper part of the candlestick to catch dripping wax. Sconces lift out separately to ease cleaning.
- Candelabra
- A branched lighting fixture holding multiple candles upon a single central stem and base. Many examples on this page convert between single sticks and branched units.
- Taper candlestick
- A smaller candlestick designed to hold thin wax tapers used for sealing letters or lighting pipes and lamps. These miniature forms mirror the design details of larger dining table pieces.
Silver Plated Dining Candlesticks: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver plated candlesticks?
Clean these pieces using a soft cloth and a gentle silver cream formulated for plated items, avoiding harsh abrasive dips that strip remaining plating from the copper or nickel base.
Work carefully around raised cast ornament and maker marks, then rinse with warm water and buff dry to maintain the polished finish without damaging the underlying metal.
Can I polish through the silver plating?
Frequent and aggressive mechanical polishing can wear away the thin silver layer over decades, exposing the darker copper or nickel silver beneath.
Inspect high points such as candle nozzles and raised relief decoration where the plating naturally thins first during regular use and cleaning.
What is the difference between Old Sheffield Plate and EPNS?
Old Sheffield Plate involves physically fusing silver sheets to copper through heat before rolling, whereas EPNS uses an electrical current to bond silver particles onto a nickel silver base.
Pieces made with Old Sheffield Plate date generally to the Georgian period, whilst electroplated nickel silver dominates Victorian and later production.
How do I set up a candelabra safely?
Ensure the weighted base sits level on the dining surface and use appropriately sized candles that fit snugly into the nozzle without leaning.
Utilise detachable sconces to catch dripping wax and keep lit pieces away from draughts or low-hanging table linen during use.