Pierced silver antique Forbes Quadruple silverplate candlestick holder or taperstick. Tapersticks are small versions of candlesticks and were used primarily on a writing desk for holding a taper used to melt sealing wax. Unlike candlesticks, they are usually found as a single item, not in pairs.
The base is comprised of four panels, each featuring a cartouche surrounded by acanthus leaves. The outer edge was done in a hammered silver design.
The bulbous center does show some minor wear, including a 1/2" slice of silverplate loss. The underside of the candle top also has some very old remains of lacquer, which was not removed in concern for removing the underlying silverplate.
The top of this candlestick holder or taperstick has a scalloped skirt of pierced silver featuring scrolls and acanthus leaves. There is very little wear on the inside of the candlestick.
19th Century Candlesticks, Chamber Sticks and Candelabras
Up until the mid-19th century, candles were the principal source of artificial light in the home. Candle holders were fashioned from many materials, including wood, pottery, porcelain, copper, brass, iron, pewter and, less commonly, silver or silver plate. Since their basic shape was dictated by the simple cylindrical form of the candle, they remained virtually unchanged for centuries.
The early 19th century brought with it the advent of the woven wick, stearine (a highly refined animal fat), and paraffin. Prior to this time, candles had been made of tallow (animal fat) or wax (vegetable fat). Candles usually burned inefficiently and resulted in messy drippings. Therefore, candlesticks almost invariably had saucer-like disks, called drip pans or bobeches, to catch the melted wax for re-use. At first, these wax catchers were located at or near the base, but by about 1800, they were always placed at the top and were often removable.
Candlesticks made primarily for stationary use on tables are typically 6” to 12” tall. They were often made in pairs, although the wealthy sometimes had sets of 4 or more. Chamber sticks, a more portable variety, are under 5” high and have an unusually wide saucer-like base, which caught dripping wax as the stick was carried room to room. Most have a finger loop for easy transport.
When greater amounts of illumination were needed, several candle holders could be clustered around a single shaft. This arrangement is called a candelabrum. Candelabra are typically quite elaborate. Some late examples even have pierced shades and spring-loaded holders to raise the candles as they burned.
An essential feature of European and American life for centuries, candlesticks have been made in a tremendous variety of shapes and materials. Silver, however, has remained the most desirable material. Even after the advent of electric lighting, silver candlesticks were used chiefly in the dining room, suggesting that by then, they were considered decorative rather than function.
Today, candlesticks, give an aura of elegance to a room. Some of the many styles which candlestick collectors collect are candlesticks from the era of George III, Colonial candlesticks, Victorian electroplated candlesticks, Federal candlesticks and art deco candlesticks.
Touchmarked on the base with the Forbes log of an eagle within a marquis, the touchmark reads "FORBES , PATTENT APPLIED FOR, and the pattern number 943. This antique silverplate candlestick holder or taperstick measures 4 1/2" at the base, 4 1/4" high and weighs a HEAFTY 13.3 ounces.
A881 - Antique Forbes Silverplate Candlestick Holder Taperstick #943
$48.00
