Silver Plated Taper Sticks
Silver plated taper sticks are small, elegant lighting fixtures designed for sealing wax and desks, offering a refined touch of period craftsmanship.
Silver Plated Taper Sticks
Silver plated taper sticks are small lighting devices designed primarily for melting sealing wax on correspondence rather than illuminating large rooms. Buyers searching for silver plated taper sticks encounter pieces spanning the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, including Old Sheffield Plate and electroplated examples.
The selections available range from diminutive desk candlesticks to miniature versions and slender columnar forms. Most examples appear in pairs, though single desk pieces and matched suites also surface.
Materials and construction
Makers formed these items using methods such as Old Sheffield Plate, which fused a sheet of silver to a copper base, or later electroplating upon nickel silver and base metals. Brass and copper often appear beneath the silver layer, sometimes showing through where centuries of polishing have worn the finish.
Details include removable sconces for catching wax and classical motifs pressed or cast into the metal.
Silver Plated Taper Sticks Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver plated taper sticks 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.
Materials recorded across the inventory include silver plate, copper, brass, stone, and Old Sheffield Plate.
Evaluating quality and execution
The distinction between standard production and superior craftsmanship rests in the weight of the metal, the crispness of the chased or cast ornament, and the integrity of the underlying plating. Finer pieces maintain substantial weight in the hand and exhibit sharp architectural or rococo detailing.
Surface preservation also dictates standing, as excessive smoothing during past cleaning alters the definition of the original design.
Mappin & Webb·John Pound & Co·Barker Ellis
The Silver Plated Taper Sticks Glossary
- Old Sheffield Plate
- An early fusing technique where a thin sheet of silver is applied to a copper core before rolling. This method leaves characteristic copper seams visible at the edges.
- Sconce
- The detachable nozzle fitted into the top of the socket to catch dripping wax. These components are frequently lost or replaced over time.
- Electroplated Nickel Silver
- A mid-nineteenth century innovation using an electrical current to bond silver onto a durable nickel alloy base. It largely superseded the older fusion methods.
- Corinthian Column
- A classical architectural style featuring ornate acanthus leaves on the capital, frequently adapted for candlestick shafts during the Victorian and Edwardian eras.
Silver Plated Taper Sticks: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a taper stick and a candlestick?
Taper sticks are noticeably smaller in scale, specifically designed to hold thin tapers used for sealing letters and lighting pipes rather than heavy candles meant for room illumination.
Their compact dimensions make them suited for placement on writing desks and mantlepieces rather than dining tables.
How can I tell Old Sheffield Plate from later silver plate?
Old Sheffield Plate reveals a subtle line of reddish copper where the base metal shows through at the cut edges or high points. Later electroplated pieces reveal a greyish nickel or brass underneath instead.
Examining the underside with a magnifier often clarifies the manufacturing method used by the silversmith.
Are removable sconces important?
Removable sconces are original components designed to catch melting wax and protect the main body during use. Finding a pair with their matching sconces intact adds significantly to the completeness of the piece.
Many surviving examples have lost these small elements over the decades.
How should I clean silver plated taper sticks?
Maintenance requires gentle cleaning with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive silver polish formulated for plated items. Aggressive rubbing will strip away the thin silver layer and expose the copper or brass underneath.
Regular, light dusting prevents the accumulation of tarnish without requiring harsh chemical intervention.