How Can You Tell How Old Brass Candlesticks Are?

Brass candlesticks have been used for centuries to hold candles and provide light. Determining the age and origins of antique brass candlesticks is important for collectors and antique dealers for several reasons: History of Candlesticks – Vancouver.

First, the age of a brass candlestick impacts its monetary value. Older, rarer candlesticks tend to be more valuable than newer mass-produced items. Second, the age provides clues into the origins and historical context of the candlestick, adding to its story and significance for collectors. An antique from the 18th century is more unique than a retro candlestick from the 1970s. Finally, accurately identifying the age helps verify the item’s authenticity. This is crucial for both collectors wanting to buy genuine antiques, as well as sellers wanting to accurately represent their wares.

Look at Manufacturing Marks

Many antique brass candlesticks have marks from the original manufacturer stamped on the bottom or sides. These marks can help identify the age and origin of the candlesticks. Research common antique manufacturers and their marks.

Some of the most well-known antique brass makers include Tiffany Studios, Gorham Manufacturing Company, and Unger Brothers. Their marks often included initials, logos, or symbols unique to that company (Makers’ Marks W). Look closely at any stamped marks and research them to see if they match a known manufacturer.

In addition to company marks, pieces may also have marks indicating the metal content, such as “EPNS” for electroplated nickel silver. The font and style of marks can also give clues as to age. Earlier antique marks were often hand stamped, while later marks became more standardized.

If you find any identifiable marks, research that company and time period. This can provide clues about the potential age and background of the antique brass candlesticks.

Consider Style and Design

The style and design details of brass candlesticks evolved over time. Study the history and common styles of different eras. According to “Brass” Candlesticks – A Primer (https://ehcnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Brass-Candlesticks.pdf), candlesticks from the 12th century often had a simple pricket and socket design. More elaborate branch style candlesticks emerged in the 14th century.

In the 18th century, innovations in manufacturing allowed candlesticks to be made from pieces rather than solid brass according to the History of Candlesticks – Vancouver (https://www.langmann.com/insights-blog/history-of-candlesticks). This opened up new ornate designs with curved branches, decorative feet, and polished surfaces.

Over time, styles ranged from Gothic to Baroque to Rococo. Studying the stylistic details can help date a candlestick to a particular era.

Examine Condition and Patina

The amount of tarnish, corrosion, and wear provides clues about the age of brass candlesticks. Experts look at the condition and patina (the discoloration that develops over time) for signs of aging.

Older brass pieces will have darker, richer patinas that show more wear. According to Mallory Nikolaus, as brass ages it develops a darker, stately patina from oxidization and handling over decades and centuries. The patina on antique brass candlesticks tends to be uneven, with areas of darker tarnish in crevices and spots exposed to handling.

Younger brass pieces have brighter finishes and less tarnish buildup overall. If the patina seems unnaturally even across the entire surface, it may have been artificially tarnished to appear antique. Look for inconsistencies that indicate true age.

Signs of use like small dents, tiny scratches, and wear on details also point to vintage pieces. Pristine condition with no evidence of use can be a red flag for newer brass.

Research Hallmarks

British candlesticks often have hallmarks indicating metal purity and date. Hallmarks are stamped onto the metal and can help determine the age and origins of brass candlesticks made in Britain.

To read British hallmarks, you first need to locate the marks – usually found on the base or stem of a candlestick. Look closely with a magnifying glass. Standard British hallmarks include:

• Maker’s mark – initials or symbol for the manufacturer
• Purity mark – denotes metal purity, like “C” for copper
• Assay office mark – symbol of the town’s assay office that tested the metal
• Date letter – denotes year of manufacture, changed annually

The date letter will be the key for evaluating age. A reference guide like this one allows you to match up the date letter to the year it was used. For example, a candlestick with a date letter “U” would date to 1753. Understanding how to accurately read and date British hallmarks takes some practice, but can reveal the production era of antique brass candlesticks.

Look for Repairs and Alterations

Modifications and repairs may indicate the era the brass candlesticks are from. Examine the candlesticks closely for any evidence of repairs, alterations, or modifications. According to https://www.bermansilverwork.com/repair-sterling-silver-candlesticks, candlesticks often need repairs over time, especially to the arms or stem.

Look for solder marks, filled holes, replaced parts, engravings or monograms that appear newer than the rest of the piece, and other signs of repair. The methods and materials used for alterations can provide clues about when the work was done. For example, early 20th century repairs may show soft solder marks, while later repairs are more likely to use modern adhesives.

Significant alterations like replacing entire parts of the candlesticks may indicate damage from use over an extended period, pointing to an earlier production date. Subtle modifications like engraved initials or monograms could mean family heirlooms passed down through generations. Document any repairs, which may help in appraising the approximate age.

Consider Provenance

Knowing the history and previous owners of a pair of antique brass candlesticks can provide important clues about their age. Provenance refers to the chronology of ownership and location of an object from the time it was created. Documents like sale receipts, insurance records, wills, and inventories can help establish provenance and verify when a candlestick was originally purchased or inherited.

Provenance matters because it can confirm the purported age of candlesticks. If records show a candlestick has been in the same family for 200 years, that provides evidence it is an authentic antique. Provenance can also reveal if the candlesticks have been altered or refinished over time, which may make their age difficult to pinpoint accurately just by visual examination.

Do some genealogical digging and research the previous owners of any antique candlesticks you are trying to date. An object with detailed records to trace its origins and history will give you more definitive information about its age and help you determine an accurate appraisal value.

Get an Appraisal

For especially rare or valuable antique brass candlesticks, it can be difficult to precisely date them without expert assistance. Professional appraisers have extensive knowledge about historical styles, manufacturing techniques, hallmarks, and other indicators of age and authenticity. They can physically examine the candlesticks to look for signs of repairs, restorations, wear patterns, and material composition.

An appraisal is recommended if the candlesticks appear to be:

• Very old (pre-1700s)
• By a renowned maker
• Part of a matched set
• In near-perfect, untouched condition

Reputable appraisers belong to professional organizations like the American Society of Appraisers and follow their code of ethics. Appraisals provide a fair market valuation for insurance purposes and establish a baseline for the antique’s history and significance. The cost is generally a few hundred dollars.

While appraisals are not required for less valuable candlesticks, they are advisable for exceptionally rare or mysterious pieces to get a professional authentication of age, origins, and value from an impartial expert.

Test with Science

For ambiguous pieces, scientific testing like x-ray fluorescence can determine metal composition and manufacture date. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive analytical technique that determines the elemental composition of materials. It bombards the object with x-rays which excite the atoms and cause them to release secondary fluorescent x-rays that are characteristic of each element present. The resulting spectrum provides quantitative results about the ratios of different metals in an alloy like brass. This allows you to identify if a supposed antique is made from modern brass alloys versus historic ones.

XRF can also be used to date an object through the presence of trace radioactive metals. During smelting and manufacturing, tiny amounts of uranium and thorium contaminate metal alloys. These radioactive isotopes slowly decay over time. By measuring the remaining uranium and thorium, the manufacture date can be estimated since the initial amounts present are fairly constant. Accuracy within 20-30 years can be achieved with XRF dating. This provides a good estimate of when antique candlesticks were fabricated.

While expensive lab equipment is required for XRF testing, it allows scientific determination of brass composition and age non-destructively. The accuracy of the results can greatly help in identifying if candlesticks are true antiques versus modern replicas when other methods are inconclusive.

Conclusion

There are several techniques you can use to determine the approximate age of antique brass candlesticks. Looking closely at the manufacturing marks, style, design, condition, hallmarks, repairs, provenance, and getting an appraisal from an expert can all provide clues. Science can also help date antique brass through methods like x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy to analyze the metal composition. Briefly summarizing, focus on examining the candlesticks closely for identifiable marks, researching the history, and consulting experts to evaluate the origins and era based on the styles and techniques used in the production of the candlesticks. With some detective work and informed analysis, you can make an educated estimate of when your antique brass candlesticks were created.