Silver Table Candle Holders
Silver table candle holders bring light and proportion to a dining surface, combining solid or plated metals with classical form.
Silver Table Candle Holders
Silver table candle holders span simple single-stem candlesticks to multi-branch candelabra intended for formal dining. The pieces seen on this page range from compact dwarf candlesticks and chambersticks to large four-light candelabra suites.
Victorian and Edwardian silver plate examples appear frequently alongside sterling silver items from George III, George V, and later periods. Makers also produced convertible hurricane lamps, reflector lamps, and figural designs featuring cavaliers or palm trees.
Stylistic influences stretch from restrained Georgian neoclassical columns and Corinthian shafts to ornate Rococo revival curves, Jugendstil lines, and Arts and Crafts simplicity.
Materials and construction
Makers utilised sterling silver and various plated methods, including old Sheffield plate and electroplated nickel silver, supported by base metals like copper, brass, and general white metal.
Foundries shaped columns, bases, and arms through casting and spinning, frequently weighting the hollow bases with pitch or resin to provide stability on the table.
Materials across the listings include sterling silver, silver plate, copper, brass, and glass hurricane shades.
Quality differences
The definition of the cast ornament and the crispness of classical fluting or Corinthian capitals separate standard production from superior workshops. Crisp hand-chasing on silver-plated surfaces preserves detail where lesser items lose definition.
Substantial gauge metal prevents wobbling in taller multi-branch candelabra, ensuring the arms remain true and secure under the weight of multiple candles.
Conrad Eduard Mappe·Garrard and Co·Mappin and Webb·Matthew Boulton·James Fenton·John Cafe
The Silver Table Candle Holders Glossary
- Candlestick
- A single-nozzle holder designed to support one candle on a weighted base. These typically feature removable drip pans.
- Candelabra
- A branched lighting fixture holding multiple candles from a single central stem. They often convert into standard candlesticks by removing the top branch assembly.
- Corinthian column
- A classical architectural shaft topped with ornate acanthus leaves. This motif appears frequently on 19th-century and Edwardian examples.
- Old Sheffield plate
- A fused method where a thin sheet of sterling silver is applied to a thick copper core before rolling. This technique predates modern electroplating.
- Chamberstick
- A low candle holder fitted with a shallow drip tray and a loop handle for carrying from room to room.
Silver Table Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver candle holders?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver cream to lift tarnish without removing the thin layer of plating. Avoid harsh dipping solutions on weighted bases to prevent moisture from damaging the internal filling.
Buff the metal gently along the grain of the design, paying attention to crevices where polish residue tends to accumulate over time.
Can I convert a candelabrum into a single candlestick?
Many multi-branch examples feature a detachable top section that lifts away from the main socket. This allows the primary stem to function as a standard single candlestick.
Check the central socket fit to ensure the single candle sits securely once the branch attachment is removed.
How do I secure loose candles in antique sockets?
Traditional taper candles often vary slightly in diameter compared to older hand-finished sockets. Paper shims or specialised candle fitting rings help centre the taper upright.
Ensure the candle stands perpendicular to the base to prevent melting wax from dripping onto the table surface.