Tall Silver Candle Holders
Tall silver candle holders bring stature and bright reflection to a room, ranging from grand Corinthian columns to rustic altar sticks.
Tall Silver Candle Holders
When you search for tall silver candle holders, you encounter tall candlesticks designed to elevate a flame and cast strong light across a dining table or mantelpiece. The selection spans sturdy sterling silver columns, heavy silver-plated bases, and carved wooden pieces finished in silver leaf or gesso.
You are most likely to meet pairs dating from the eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Forms vary from classical architectural columns to ornate Rococo Revival curves and straightforward Arts and Crafts copper and silver constructions.
How they were made
Makers constructed these tall candle holders using solid sterling silver, silver plate over copper or base metal, and carved wood coated with silver leaf or gesso. Silversmiths utilised classical stamping, casting, and hallmarking techniques on precious metal pieces.
Wooden altar sticks and prickets relied on traditional hand-carving before applying reflective metallic leaf surfaces. Copper components in Arts and Crafts examples show hammered textures combined with applied silver elements.
Tall Silver Candle Holders Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for tall silver 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.
Listings span from the late eighteenth century to the mid-twentieth century, featuring sterling silver, silver plate, copper, and silver-leafed carved wood.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the weight of the metal, the crispness of the cast or carved detail, and the integrity of the core structure. Heavy sterling silver and thick Sheffield plate retain their form and detail far better through generations of polishing than thin, pressed metal.
Design execution distinguishes standard production from exceptional work. Sharp fluting on Corinthian columns, deep relief in ornate Rococo Revival scrolling, and secure joints on weighted bases mark superior craftsmanship.
Barker Ellis
The Tall Silver Candle Holders Glossary
- Sterling silver
- A silver alloy containing 92.5 percent pure silver and 7.5 percent other metals, usually copper. This standard ensures durable strength while maintaining a high precious metal content.
- Silver plate
- A thin layer of silver fused or electroplated onto a base metal such as copper or brass. Old Sheffield plate uses a mechanical fusion method older than modern electroplating.
- Corinthian column
- An architectural order featuring an ornate capital decorated with acanthus leaves. Candlesticks in this style mimic classical stone pillars.
- Pricket
- A sharp metal spike set in the drip pan of a candlestick to hold a candle in place. These appear frequently on older altar-style pieces.
- Gesso
- A plaster-like mixture applied to wood surfaces as a base for silver leaf or paint. It allows carvers to achieve smooth, solid contours beneath the metallic finish.
Tall Silver Candle Holders: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean tarnished silver candle holders?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle, non-abrasive silver polish formulated for the specific metal type. Avoid aggressive scrubbing that wears away thin silver plating or disturbs delicate gesso and leaf finishes on wooden pieces.
Take extra care around hallmarks and embossed details where polish can accumulate. Rinse lightly with warm water and dry immediately with a lint-free cloth.
Are these tall candlesticks weighted at the base?
Many tall candlesticks contain internal weighting materials such as resin, plaster, or wood to provide stability against the height. This prevents the tall holders from tipping over easily when supporting heavy tapered candles.
Sterling silver examples often feature reinforced bases to protect the softer precious metal from dents during everyday use.
What is the difference between sterling and silver plated?
Sterling silver consists of solid precious metal throughout the structure, bearing official assay office hallmarks. Silver plated items utilise a base metal core covered by a thin outer layer of silver.
Plated pieces offer the bright appearance of silver at a different weight and material composition, visible where the underlying metal shows through wear.
How do I date antique silver candle holders?
Examine official hallmarks on silver items, which record assay office symbols, date letters, and maker marks that pinpoint the year of creation. Style indicators such as Neo-Classical columns or Arts and Crafts construction also suggest specific eras.
Construction methods on wooden or plated pieces, including base weight and assembly screws, provide further clues to their period of manufacture.