Copper Candlesticks - Age, Value?

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by Boo, Apr 24, 2018.

  1. Boo

    Boo Member

    I have this pair of candlesticks, I think they are copper and pewter - I can see some areas on the decoration that is more shiny as if something like silver perhaps was originally on there but the rest of the silver coloured metal does have pits as if it were pewter. I've done the nitric acid test, as far as I can tell it isn't silver. The necks extend as well, also not sure of the date either, was thinking art nouveau. Any idea of value would be great. They weigh 1kg each, the base looks like it's stuffed with little stones before having some type of mortar poured in. I would love to know more about them.
    Thank you

    20180419_165718-opt.jpg 20180419_165726-opt.jpg 20180419_165741-opt.jpg 20180419_165747-opt.jpg 20180419_170038-opt.jpg
     
  2. Huntingtreasure

    Huntingtreasure Well-Known Member

    Can you please include picture of the bottoms, thank you. :)
     
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  3. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    From the pictures they look brass which is a usual metal for candlesticks.
    The silver parts could be nickel, have you tried a magnet ?
    The stuff in the base is ballast.
     
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  4. Huntingtreasure

    Huntingtreasure Well-Known Member

    Deleted to avoid confusion.
    I got my crayon out.
    Can you send close up of this?
    Never mind, @Bakersgma is correct.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2018
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  5. Bakersgma

    Bakersgma Well-Known Member

    What do you think is there, Hunting. Just looks like a reflection of the second stick to me.
     
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  6. Huntingtreasure

    Huntingtreasure Well-Known Member

    Right you are, Thank you. :greedy:
    I put my crayon away!
     
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  7. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    Stretch sticks
     
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  8. Rayo56

    Rayo56 Well-Known Member

    And the guy taking the picture too :)
     
  9. Huntingtreasure

    Huntingtreasure Well-Known Member

    :) We all make mistakes, and I Humbly accept corrections.
     
    Last edited: Apr 24, 2018
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  10. johnnycb09

    johnnycb09 Well-Known Member

  11. pewter2

    pewter2 Well-Known Member

    What you have is a pair very over polished telescopic candle stick of Old Sheffield plate (fused plate), dating from c1820 to c1830
    the silver portions are mounts formed from silver and not from fused plate as are the columns and is the reason they still remain as such, these mounts were often filled with a lead/tin filling and as the silver wears off show the duller filler underneath.
    The base was often weighted ,,,non tropic areas, loom, a mixture of fire ash and pitch and tropical regions filled with plaster , or similar.
    I can't see what mark??? is circled .
    The mounts are somewhat identifiable to several quality makers of Old Sheffield plate items, Cresswick... mark was crossed arrows/spears or Matthew Boulton ..one or two moon faces . .....regards...pewter2
     
  12. Huntingtreasure

    Huntingtreasure Well-Known Member

    The circle can be disregarded. Awaiting pictures of the bottom.
     
  13. Catlovr

    Catlovr Active Member

    Dunno, but they are really sharp looking.
     
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  14. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    VERY, VERY PRETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):singing::) AND to me, they look like Brass, Copper and Silver!!!!!
     
  15. springfld.arsenal

    springfld.arsenal Store: http://www.springfieldarsenal.net/

    They are about the most interesting sticks I’ve ever seen on this forum. I wouldn’t mind having them on the dinner table next time we have guests in; the mixed metals are definitely cool looking even if they were once all silvery.
     
  16. Boo

    Boo Member

    Here it is - thank you
     

    Attached Files:

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  17. Boo

    Boo Member

    I apologise for the rubbish pics, The metal is a definite reddish colour (far more like copper than brass but then I've not seen any brass this colour) maybe it's copper plated. The magnet did nothing on either metal

    I've also just retested with nitric acid, no change on the copper part but on the silver it turned red which would indicate a presence of silver. I tested on the stretch part that goes into the base. I do apologise, I've not done this type of test before but thought I'd try again to be sure. Why would someone plate copper (or whatever it is) over silver? - pic shows the stretch "hidden" section where the 2 metals can be seen.

    Thanks for the identification of the ballast :)
     

    Attached Files:

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  18. Boo

    Boo Member

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  19. Boo

    Boo Member

    Thank you very much for your comprehensive answer pewter2. So what you're saying is once upon a time they were completely silver plate. I can't see any marks on them so am presuming they've been rubbed away. (apologies for answering after I'd answered the others, I blame being left handed, I read from the bottom up etc ... :))
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2018
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  20. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Can't answer for pewter of course, but I think you are doing perfectly.
    And beautiful candlesticks, I think I prefer this look to all plated.
     
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