Three Branch Candelabrum
A three branch candelabrum brings genuine candlelight and proportion to a table, offering the branching design collectors seek.
Three Branch Candelabrum
A three branch candelabrum provides multiple candle positions from a single central stem, spreading light evenly across a dining table or sideboard. When you search for three branch candelabrum, you encounter pieces intended primarily to hold three candles, though some examples adapt into chandeliers or table lamps.
The selection ranges from George III and Regency periods through the Victorian and Edwardian eras up to the mid twentieth century. Pairs predominate on this page, often matching in form and finish to balance a mantelpiece or formal table setting.
Materials span sterling silver, silver plate, Old Sheffield plate, brass, copper, glass, and gilt bronze. Certain pieces incorporate figural elements such as cherubs or specific motifs like the lyre, reflecting styles from Rococo Revival and Neoclassical to French Chateau.
How they were made
Makers utilised traditional metalworking techniques, casting brass, bronze, and silver into detailed components before assembling them by hand. Silver plating and Old Sheffield plate methods applied thin layers of silver over copper or base metals, requiring skill to fuse the metals permanently.
Glass elements were blown and cut to refract candlelight, while gilt bronze pieces combined mercury gilding or modern electroplating over a bronze foundation. Component parts were often threaded or pinned together, allowing the branches and drip pans to detach for cleaning.
Three Branch Candelabrum Retail Price Guide 2026
Typical asking prices for three branch candelabrum 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.
Several examples incorporate cheerful cast cherubs holding aloft the branching candle arms.
What varies in quality
The weight and balance of the piece dictate its structural integrity, separating substantial castings from lighter, hollow alternatives. Superior examples show crisp chasing on foliage and figures, whereas lesser pieces lose definition in the stamped or cast details.
The preservation of the metal surface marks the difference between top tier items and worn examples. Plated items retain their original silver layer evenly across high points, while inferior pieces reveal the base copper beneath through excessive polishing.
Garrard & Co·Matthew Boulton·Wm Tonks & Sons·Barker Ellis·Blagden Hodgson & Co
The Three Branch Candelabrum Glossary
- Old Sheffield plate
- A method of fusing a thin sheet of silver to a thicker copper core by heating and rolling the metals together before fabrication. This technique creates a durable finish found on Georgian and Regency pieces.
- Gilt bronze
- Bronze that has been coated with a layer of gold through amalgamation or electroplating to produce a rich, golden finish. It resists tarnish and maintains its lustre over decades.
- Drip pan
- A small circular plate fitted beneath the candle nozzle to catch melting wax before it reaches the stem or table below. These components often detach for ease of cleaning.
- Rococo Revival
- A nineteenth century design style characterised by asymmetrical scrollwork, naturalistic floral motifs, and shell ornaments. It draws inspiration from the eighteenth century French movement.
- Candelabrum
- A branched candlestick designed to hold multiple candles simultaneously from a single base. The plural form is candelabra.
Three Branch Candelabrum: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I clean silver plated candelabra?
Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver polish designed specifically for plated items, avoiding harsh abrasive cleaners that remove the silver layer.
Work carefully around soldered joints and cast ornamentation to preserve the remaining finish.
Can electric candelabra be converted back?
Many electric versions retain their original sockets and wiring paths drilled through the central stem during mid twentieth century adaptations.
Restoration specialists can remove the electrical components and restore the original candle nozzles if desired.
How do I date a brass candelabrum?
Examine the casting quality, base construction, and assembly methods, noting whether components are held by hand cut threads or modern machine screws.
Stylistic cues such as neoclassical urn motifs or Victorian ornamentation also help narrow the production period.
What is the difference between Old Sheffield plate and silver plate?
Old Sheffield plate involves physically fusing a sheet of silver to copper before shaping the item, creating a distinct edge where copper shows.
Later silver plate uses an electrical process to deposit a thin coat of silver over a finished base metal object.