Late 18th Century English Brass Side-Eject Candlesticks

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Description

Georgian Ingenuity: A Pair of Brass Side-Eject Candlesticks
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This is an attractive pair of antique English Brass Candlesticks dating … Read more Georgian Ingenuity: A Pair of Brass Side-Eject Candlesticks
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This is an attractive pair of antique English Brass Candlesticks dating from the late Georgian period. They represent a functional innovation in domestic lighting, designed to make the practical task of candle maintenance cleaner and easier.

The candlesticks feature a classic, elegant form characteristic of the era:
• Construction: They feature a smooth, simple central column rising from a circular, domed base.
• Mechanism: Their key feature is the patented side-eject (or side-button) mechanism. A small, round button or lever protrudes from the side of the central shaft. When pressed, this mechanism raises an internal rod to eject the spent candle stub from the socket, preventing wax buildup and simplifying cleaning. This ingenious design was a popular innovation in early 19th-century lighting technology.
• Material: Constructed entirely of warm, polished brass, which offers both durability and a handsome gleam typical of early 19th-century metalware.
• Origin: England
• Date: circa 1800–1820 (Late Georgian Period)
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• Dimensions: 8 1\2 inches (21.6 cm) High x 4 1/4 inches (10.80 cm) Diameter

Historical Context

This pair of candlesticks is a prime example of the marriage between domestic utility and early industrial innovation that occurred in England at the turn of the 19th century.

The Age of Invention
The push-up mechanism itself was not new, but the side-eject style became highly refined in the Georgian and early Victorian periods. Before the introduction of spring-loaded bobeches (sockets) and later, kerosene lamps, candle waste was a common domestic problem. This design was an elegant solution, marketed to the growing middle and wealthy classes who desired refined home furnishings but also appreciated practical efficiency.

Collecting Candlesticks
Brass candlesticks from this period are highly sought after by collectors for their historical significance and the subtle variations in design and mechanism. The simple, clean profile of these examples reflects the prevailing Neoclassical taste, where unnecessary ornamentation was eschewed in favor of balanced proportions and functional elegance.

References
• Schiffer, Peter, Nancy, and Herbert. The Brass Book: American, English and European Fifteenth Century through 1850. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing. (References similar examples of this functional type of brass candlestick, found on pages 170–171).

(Ref: NY9639-Irr) See less