Dimensions and value of torches and candelabras

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Dimensions and value of torches and candelabras  

Torches and candelabras are currently sought-after collectors' items. If you own one, it may be worth more than you think. On the art market, these objects can fetch very high prices under the auctioneer's hammer.  

They are particularly prized, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €10 to €950,000, a fairly substantial range, but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these objects.  

In 2021, a pair of silver flambeaux known as "à la faïencière" sold for €243,200, against an estimate of €25,000 to €35,000.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious 

Torch and candelabra features

While torches and candelabras are part of the history of lighting, their differences mark two distinct approaches, between utilitarian simplicity and decorative exuberance.

Torches are characterized by their verticality and portability.

Designed to accommodate a single candle or torch, they feature sober lines and robust materials such as wrought iron or wood.

Their design, often devoid of ornamentation, reflects practical use, although some 18th century models, adorned with classical motifs, attempted a foray into elegance. 

Candelabras, on the other hand, have established themselves as works of art in their own right. Featuring several arms or branches, they allow a profusion of light while asserting a taste for ornamentation.

Candelabras from the Neoclassical period, for example, compete in sophistication: gilded bronze, cut crystal and mythological figures combine to make them symbols of prestige.

These objects have more than just a practical function: they are part of a display of power and wealth, lighting up the opulent drawing rooms and grand dining rooms of aristocratic homes. 

The evolution of these devices over the centuries illustrates cultural and aesthetic transformations.

While torches evoke a more intimate, itinerant form of lighting, candelabras inscribe light in a theatrical dimension, an art where utility fades in the face of pomp.

Their complexity and precious materials bear witness to the know-how inherited from traditional craftsmanship, while adapting to the stylistic trends of their era, from Baroque to Art Deco.

The candelabra scandal during the revolutionary period

A famous anecdote relating to candelabras can be found in the history of the French Revolution. In 1792, during the last months of the monarchy, an unexpected incident occurred at the Château de Versailles.

In the throne room, grand receptions used to sparkle under the glow of solid silver candelabras, adorned with detailed carvings and multiple arms.

During a banquet, King Louis XVI, keen to maintain the appearance of royal grandeur, ordered the candelabras to be moved to make them a central decorative element.

However, one of the palace officers, blinded by growing political tensions, made a serious mistake: he left these candelabras not only in a visible place, but much closer to the people than usual.

The insult was not so much the object itself, but the symbol it represented. These candelabras, associated with absolute power, suddenly found themselves under the gaze of the representatives of a people fed up with the king's opulence.

A few weeks after this incident, revolts broke out, and the once revered silver candelabras were melted down and turned into coins, in an act of heritage reappropriation.

In the shadow of these fallen candles, the fate of the monarchy was at stake.

History and symbolism of torches and candelabras  

The design and use of torches and candelabras are part of a tradition that is both utilitarian and symbolic, closely linked to the history of lighting and the evolution of decorative forms.

Torches, vertical supports for candles or torches, while remaining functionally simple, have long embodied a fundamental element of mobile lighting.

From Roman antiquity to the Renaissance, these objects were worn for ceremonies, symbolizing enlightenment of the spirit or divine purity, often associated with rituals or processions.

Far from being mere accessories, torches were symbolic instruments of light, conveying both religious significance and connotations of prestige.

Their slender shape and portability made them essential elements in the collective imagination, in a context where the flame itself represented life, knowledge and moral enlightenment.

As for candelabras, their ornamental dimension goes far beyond their lighting function.

From the outset, they evoke a symbolism of power, grandeur and durability, due to their often monumental architecture, with several arms supporting several candles, like veritable receptacles of light.

By establishing themselves in the royal palaces and grand salons of the 18th century, these pieces transcended their initial role to become objets d'art in their own right, both in terms of their design and the precious materials of which they are made.

Whether in gilded bronze, solid silver or cut crystal, candelabras were outward signs of wealth and refinement.

Their sometimes complex structure often features decorative elements such as floral motifs, allegorical figures or garlands, elevating them to the status of architectural elements in their own right, intended to enrich the decor while testifying to the power and prestige of those who owned them.

Materials and punches

Candelabras draw their symbolic power and timeless value from the brilliance and solidity of precious metals. Among these, sterling silver is undoubtedly the metal of choice.

Composed of 92.5% pure silver, often alloyed with copper for durability, sterling silver is distinguished by its malleability, perfect for finely detailed chasing techniques.

The silver hallmark, often accompanied by the passing lion, marks the authenticity and provenance of the piece.

This metal, while retaining its brilliant shine, ages gracefully, sometimes acquiring a patina, but always retaining that aura of refinement and purity expected of an objet d'art. 

Bronze, on the other hand, is made from a more complex alloy of copper and tin, which can also incorporate other metals such as aluminum or zinc to increase wear resistance.

It's not uncommon to see bronze candelabra adorned with finely chased details, this metal having a unique ability to take on a patina and warm hues over time, enriching the appearance of the object while retaining its robustness.

The more discreet bronze hallmark is often marked by a workshop seal or craftsman's signature, attesting to the quality and history of the piece.

Gold, the royal metal par excellence, is the preferred choice for high-value pieces, often combined with luxury decorations.

Whether 18-carat gold or purer alloys, this precious metal is unrivalled for its resistance to oxidation and its impeccable brilliance.

The gold hallmark, such as the number "750" for 18-carat gold, guarantees the purity of the metal. A gold candelabra, whatever its shape, embodies opulence and prestige, while enjoying exceptional longevity.

Finally, platinum is rarer and more costly, and because of its density and resistance, is generally reserved for exceptional creations.

Its hallmark, generally marked "PT", makes it a less common metal, but one that is particularly sought after in collector's items.

Each hallmark affixed to these precious metals, whether a number indicating the title of gold or a symbol for silver, is not simply a guarantee of quality, but a testimony to meticulous craftsmanship, guaranteeing the longevity of these objets d'art.

Success of these items on the auction market

Torches and candelabras are prized on the auction market for their historical and artistic value, their manufacture from precious materials such as bronze and silver, and their exceptional craftsmanship.

Their rarity, especially when in good condition and authentic, and their prestigious provenance add to their appeal.

Like ancient booksantique antique paintings and bronze sculpturestorches and candelabras are common and sought-after items on the auction market.   

Knowing the value of a work 

If you happen to own a pair of torches or candelabras, don't hesitate to ask for a free estimate using the form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you're thinking of selling your work of art, our specialists will also be on hand to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking market trends into account.