Author Topic: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them  (Read 8319 times)

montfam

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Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« on: February 17, 2018, 09:00:06 pm »
Hello,
I have a pair of 11" brass candlesticks I found a few months ago and would greatly appreciate help dating them.
They are 11" tall and the base screws off, the top appears to be one piece.

I did use a magnet to see if they were coated metal and the magnet did not stick anywhere on the candlestick.  I also did a scratch test on the bottom but not sure what I am looking for with that! :D   

I've tried searching for info but not really coming up with anything solid.

I appreciate any information on them!
Thank you!
« Last Edit: February 17, 2018, 09:19:58 pm by montfam »

Rauville

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #1 on: February 17, 2018, 10:16:15 pm »
At this late hour and with these old eyes they look like they do have age.
Because: (1) Minor variations in design between the two pieces. (2) Older brass seems to age to a "soft mustard" color due to a small amount of lead being added to the alloy. Modern brass has a "colder" appearance in my opinion.

PS: Welcome to the forum.

talesofthesevenseas

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2018, 12:21:25 am »
I have a very similar pair that I'm told are 1820s.
Antiqueaholic in recovery

KC

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2018, 01:01:54 am »
Can you please post close-up pictures of the screws underneath?

Welcome to the forum!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

montfam

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2018, 02:37:00 pm »
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and information! :)

Here are some close-ups of the screws and base




cogar

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2018, 04:53:24 am »
SURPRISE, …. SURPRISE, ……. for me.  :o :o :o :o

Given the top pedestals are “threaded” into the bases, …… what is the purpose of the screws in the bottom of the pedestals?

montfam

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2018, 08:12:03 am »
Do you think these are possibly not antique?
« Last Edit: February 19, 2018, 08:45:11 am by montfam »

montfam

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2018, 08:32:40 am »
Its hard to get light into the top to show you what I am talking about with a photo, but there seems to be something like "dirt" packed into the inside..  maybe like the inside is hollow and it has dirt packed into it?  That's the bet way to describe what scrapes out.. 

SophieMarie

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2018, 11:58:27 am »
Sometimes, they are filled with sand or such for weight purposes. 

cogar

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2018, 01:04:06 pm »
Quote
Sometimes, they are filled with sand or such for weight purposes.


That would infer they are modern candlesticks.

Brass, as in solid brass, is a lot more expensive that brass filled with sand.  ;D ;D

montfam

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2018, 03:25:13 pm »
Here is a better pic of the inside .. I have been scraping at it and this is what is coming out, its like a dirt texture and it does seem to a filler of sorts, I havent hit anything solid in the center....

Based on the photos I have shown, are the candlesticks Vintage? Antique? Reproductions?  No value?
Thank you!

mart

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2018, 09:07:00 pm »
I would say 1920`s or 30`s !!  Nice patina on them,, !!  Not uncommon to have them filled !!  I would not dig around in them too much If they are filled,, may also have a cap on top !!  Just use as-is !!

KC

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2018, 09:28:51 pm »
Thanks for the extra pics.  I agree that they are from appx 1930's to 50's time line.

Still nice and usable!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

SophieMarie

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2018, 10:01:03 pm »
Given the top pedestals are “threaded” into the bases, …… what is the purpose of the screws in the bottom of the pedestals?
[/quote]

Cogar,

You bring up a very good question here, and I wondered the same thing too.  Originally I thought perhaps the screw was actually part of a "push up" device (example) as shown here with the cork portion wearing away.[/img]

As you know this type of device was used to push out wax and eject the candle.  However; the original photograph as seen enlarged, shows no movement in the screw unless I've missed something.  And, even if it was a push up candle, the device would have to run up through the bottom and thru the threaded base into the pedestal to the candle....and, thus; my confusion!

I believe that I have truly learned Mart's Texan language :)

SophieMarie

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Re: Brass Candlesticks --- Trying to find help with dating them
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2018, 10:03:04 pm »
Cogar,
Sorry I forgot the last enlarged pic of original!