Silver candelabra despite common belief are almost non existent until the middle part of the George II era(1727-1760) with candlesticks being far more common and plentiful.
The earliest candelabra tend to be of a rococo nature with chased ornament and are generally two light (suitable for two candles) with the central section of the branch just a decorative feature.They are usually at this date somewhat smaller than later examples but with a few exceptions.
The candelabra are generally of cast construction until the 1770s when neo-classical forms start to prevail and the use of Adam style ornament starts to hold sway. The candelabra tend still to be two light (although three and four light do exist)until the 1790s when three light candelabra were beginning to become more common place .
In the early 1800s candelabra start to become grander in size and by the middle to later nineteenth century the addition of a fifth light becomes a feature . By the early twentieth century the varieties of candelabra are enormous but there is a noticeable shift in the size downwards after the First World War as the electric light becomes the norm ; people often forget that these were functional objects for the wealthy.
William Walter Antiques is pleased to offer a wonderfully extensive range of silver candelabra from the Georgian period to the present day including an amazing and unusual pair of six light candelabra
