Candlesticks: Centuries of Light-Giving Artistry in Metal, Ceramic, and Glass
Candlesticks -- single-light candle holders -- are among the most universally collected antique objects, with examples spanning from medieval iron pricket sticks to Georgian silver masterpieces, Victorian brass pairs, and Art Nouveau art pottery holders. Produced in virtually every material and decorative style across all periods, candlesticks offer collectors enormous variety at every price level. Their enduring functionality and visual appeal make them both practical antiques and striking decorative objects.
Major Types and Materials
- Sterling silver: The premier collecting category; English, American, and Continental examples from the 17th century onward; makers include Paul de Lamerie, Hester Bateman, and Myer Myers
- Brass: The most common material for antique candlesticks; English, Dutch, and American production from the 16th century; "Queen Anne" baluster forms and "Federal" neoclassical designs
- Pewter: Softer metal with a distinctive warm gray; American (William Will, Johann Christoph Heyne) and English examples
- Cast iron: Hog-scraper candlesticks, spiral-twist designs, and utilitarian forms; 18th-19th century American production
- Art pottery: Rookwood, Weller, Fulper, Hampshire, and other American art pottery makers produced distinctive candlesticks
- Glass: Sandwich, Steuben, Pairpoint, and Venetian glass candlesticks; also pressed glass examples in various patterns
- Ormolu and bronze: Continental European production; especially French 18th-century gilt bronze
Identification and Dating
- Push-up mechanism: A sliding ejector in the candle cup to push the candle stub out; absent before circa 1700, common after
- Seamed vs. cast construction: Early brass candlesticks were cast in halves and seamed; seamless casting indicates 18th century or later
- Base evolution: Trumpet bases (17th c.), octagonal (early 18th c.), square (mid-18th c.), round (late 18th-19th c.)
- Silver hallmarks: Fully hallmarked silver sticks bear date letters, maker's marks, and standard marks
- Bobeche (drip pan): Removable or fixed saucer at the top to catch wax drips; style helps date the piece
- Loaded bases: Silver candlesticks often have weighted bases (filled with pitch, plaster, or lead); this is normal construction, not deception
Auction Price Ranges
| Category | Typical Range | Exceptional Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Georgian silver (pair) | $1,000 - $8,000 | $50,000+ for important maker pairs |
| Victorian silver (pair) | $400 - $3,000 | $10,000+ for elaborate designs |
| Early brass (17th-18th c., pair) | $300 - $2,000 | $5,000+ for rare early forms |
| Victorian brass (pair) | $50 - $300 | $800+ for unusual designs |
| Hog-scraper iron (single) | $100 - $500 | $2,000+ for early, signed examples |
| American pewter (pair) | $200 - $1,500 | $5,000+ for documented makers |
| Art pottery (pair) | $50 - $500 | $2,000+ for Rookwood, rare glazes |
Condition Factors
- Pairs must match: Genuine matching pairs are worth far more than two similar but non-matching sticks; examine maker marks, patina, and wear patterns for consistency
- Repairs and solder: Brass and silver candlesticks may have soldered repairs at weak points (where the stem meets the base); these reduce value
- Drilled bases: Candlesticks converted to electric lamps by drilling through the base are worth a fraction of intact examples
- Patina: Original dark patina on brass and bronze is preferred by collectors; heavily polished examples lose character and value
- Bobeche presence: Original drip pans should be present; missing bobeches reduce value modestly
Collecting Tips
- Buy pairs whenever possible: The value of a matching pair of candlesticks is typically 3-4 times that of two singles; always verify they are genuine mates
- Silver hallmarks provide certainty: Fully hallmarked English silver candlesticks can be precisely dated and attributed -- a significant advantage over unmarked brass
- Early brass is undervalued: 17th and early 18th-century brass candlesticks can often be purchased for less than equivalent-age silver, despite being rarer survivals
- Avoid conversions: Candlesticks drilled for electrical wiring are irreversibly damaged; pass on these regardless of the price
- Hog-scraper sticks are distinctly American: These push-up iron candlesticks with wedding-band turnings are a uniquely American form and are collected accordingly
- Display in groups: Collections of candlesticks in mixed materials and periods create striking mantlepiece and table displays