Silver Taper Candleholders
Silver taper candleholders are compact domestic lighting pieces designed for melting wax down safely, and they bring period character to any mantel or desk.
Silver Taper Candleholders
Silver taper candleholders comprise small candlesticks, chambersticks and desk candle holders designed for thin taper candles rather than heavy household illumination. The selections here centre on pairs originating from the Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and George V periods, alongside mid-century examples.
Most items on this page appear as pairs of candlesticks, though single chambersticks and desk variants also occur. The forms range from miniature desk pieces to tall column designs, reflecting domestic lighting needs across multiple centuries.
Makers and makers' marks span renowned silversmiths alongside silver plate and base metal alternatives. Buyers encounter solid sterling silver alongside silver plate, old Sheffield plate, pewter and copper.
How they were made
Makers utilised sterling silver, silver plate and old Sheffield plate, often weighting the bases with pitch or resin to ensure stability. Pewter, copper and base metal also appear in specific domestic forms.
Techniques involved casting, hammering and soldering columns, drip pans and removable sconces. Decorative elements such as Corinthian capitals, neoclassical fluting and rococo scrolling were applied by hand.
Silver Taper Candleholders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for silver taper candleholders 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.
Listings feature items spanning the Georgian era through to the mid-twentieth century, including works by notable Sheffield silversmiths.
What varies in quality
Quality rests in the crispness of the cast ornament and the integrity of the original proportions. Pieces with sharp Corinthian capitals or well-defined neoclassical detail demonstrate superior workshop execution.
The choice of material creates a distinct tier, separating solid sterling silver items bearing full hallmarks from silver plate and old Sheffield plate alternatives. The presence of matching removable sconces elevates a pair.
Garrard & Co·Geoffrey Bellam·Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd·James Dixon & Sons·Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Co
The Silver Taper Candleholders Glossary
- Sconce
- The detachable top pan or nozzle of a candlestick that catches dripping wax. Removable sconces help with cleaning and indicate thoughtful design.
- Chamberstick
- A low candlestick fitted with a saucer base and a loop handle for carrying through a house. These were standard for lighting a bedchamber.
- Hallmark
- An official stamp applied by an assay office to indicate the metal purity and origin of silver items. British pieces typically show town marks, date letters and maker's marks.
- Old Sheffield plate
- A composite material made by fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper base. This technique predates modern electroplating.
Silver Taper Candleholders: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a taper candleholder?
A taper candleholder is a miniature candlestick designed specifically to hold thin taper candles rather than thick dinner candles. These small holders were historically used for sealing letters, melting wax, or carrying a brief flame.
They appear across Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods in materials ranging from solid sterling silver to silver plate and pewter.
How do I clean silver candleholders?
Cleaning requires a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish formulated to lift tarnish without removing the underlying plating or metal. Avoid harsh abrasives, particularly on silver-plated items where the base metal might show through.
Take care around weighted bases and felted bottoms to prevent moisture damage during routine maintenance.
What are removable sconces?
Removable sconces are the small, detachable drip pans sitting at the very top of a candlestick where the candle inserts. They were designed to catch melted wax and make cleaning much easier.
Finding a pair with both original sconces intact adds significantly to their historical completeness.
Are these pieces solid silver?
The listings include both solid sterling silver and various plated options such as silver plate and old Sheffield plate. Hallmarks stamped on the metal indicate sterling standard and assay office origins.
Plated pieces use a base metal or copper core beneath a layer of silver.