How do I clean vintage silver candelabras safely?

Use a soft cloth and a gentle silver cream formulated specifically for plated or sterling items. Avoid abrasive brushes or dips that strip the residual silver layer from older plated surfaces. Work carefully around chased details and hallmarks to prevent wearing away the raised metal. Store the pair in a dry environment to slow down tarnishing between polishings.

What is the difference between sterling and silver plate?

Sterling silver contains a guaranteed minimum proportion of pure silver throughout the entire object, verified by official hallmarks. Silver plate consists of a thin layer of silver bonded to a base metal such as copper, brass, or nickel silver. Both materials yield similar visual appeal when polished, but silver plate requires gentle maintenance to prevent exposing the underlying metal through the surface coating.

How do I identify the period of a candelabra pair?

Examine the stylistic motifs, such as heavy rococo scrolls for Victorian pieces or clean geometric lines for Art Deco examples. Maker marks and registration numbers stamped on the base offer precise chronological clues. Construction methods also aid dating, as early pieces utilise fused copper techniques while later twentieth-century items often employ modern casting alloys and crisp hallmarks.