Silver Taper Candle Holders
Silver taper candle holders are domestic objects designed to support slender candles, combining functional illumination with decorative metalwork.
Silver Taper Candle Holders
Silver taper candle holders include candlesticks, chambersticks, and candelabra designed for domestic illumination. When searching for silver taper candle holders, buyers encounter forms ranging from miniature desk pieces to tall column designs.
The selections span the Victorian, Edwardian, and mid-century periods, alongside styles such as Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and Georgian revival. Pairs predominate, alongside occasional chambersticks and larger sets.
Origins include English workshops and continental makers, utilising solid sterling silver or plated surfaces over base metals.
How They Were Made
Construction relies heavily on sterling silver and silver plate, alongside electroplated nickel silver, pewter, copper, and occasional tortoiseshell details. Techniques involve casting, plating, and column construction such as Corinthian orders.
Sheffield plate and electroplating methods created durable metal surfaces over base cores, while pewter items utilised specialised alloy casting and enamel work.
Silver Taper Candle Holders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver taper 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.
Some chambersticks include tiny matchboxes nestled right in the tray for instant illumination.
What Varies in Quality
Quality depends upon the weight of the metal, the crispness of chased or cast ornamentation, and the preservation of original plating or hallmarks. Pieces featuring distinct architectural detailing or figural elements demonstrate higher manufacturing standards.
The integrity of construction, secure column joints, and intact weighted bases distinguish superior examples from standard production items.
Conrad Eduard Mappe·Garrard & Co·Geoffrey Bellam·Mappin & Webb·WMF·Archibald Knox·Liberty & Co·John Pound & Co
The Silver Taper Candle Holders Glossary
- Chamberstick
- A short candle holder fitted with a shallow pan and a handle for carrying around a house. They often include a small conical snuffer resting in the tray.
- Corinthian column
- An architectural style featuring ornate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves. Makers frequently adopted this classical design for tall candlesticks.
- Old Sheffield plate
- A composite material made by fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper base. This technique preceded modern electroplating methods.
- Sterling silver
- An alloy consisting of silver and other metals, typically copper, standardising at a purity proportion. Hallmarks stamped into the metal verify this composition.
Silver Taper Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a chamberstick?
A chamberstick is a low candle holder featuring a flat saucer base and a vertical loop handle. This design allowed individuals to carry a lit candle through darkened hallways safely.
Many examples include a socket for the taper and a small conical extinguisher resting in the drip pan.
How do I identify silver plate?
Silver plated items consist of a thin layer of silver bonded to a base metal such as copper or nickel. Makers often used stamps or marks indicating plating methods rather than standard silver hallmarks.
Over time, wear on raised edges may reveal the darker base metal underneath the silver surface.
What are Corinthian column candlesticks?
Corinthian column candlesticks replicate classical architectural pillars with fluted shafts and decorative capital tops. This Neoclassical style gained popularity during the Victorian and Edwardian periods.
They provide height and formal symmetry when displayed on dining tables or mantelpieces.
How are these candle holders weighted?
Silver candlesticks typically contain internal weighting materials to provide stability and prevent tipping. Plaster, resin, or wooden cores fill the hollow bases beneath a felt or metal underside.
This internal support ensures the tall structures remain balanced when holding heavy candles.