Antique Silver Chambersticks & Candle Snuffers
The chamberstick lit the way to bed; the snuffer and conical extinguisher put the flame out. Charming, practical and often Georgian, this candle silver is collectable and useful. A guide to identifying, dating, valuing and selling antique silver chambersticks and snuffers in the UK.
What Is Your Silver Chamberstick Worth?
Send a photo — including the marks on the base — and we'll value it free, with no obligation. We reply within one working day.
Before electricity, a silver chamberstick was carried by hand to light the way upstairs — a candle in a dished base with a ring handle, often with its own conical extinguisher and a pair of wick-trimming snuffers. Compact, practical and frequently Georgian, this candle silver is a charming and collectable corner of the table and bedroom.
Chambersticks, snuffers & extinguishers: what they are
A chamberstick is a low, portable candlestick: a candle nozzle set in a circular dished tray (to catch drips) with a ring handle, often fitted with a conical extinguisher (snuffer) that clips on. Separately, candle snuffers can mean the scissor-like wick trimmers (with a box to catch the trimmings) that sat on a snuffer tray. Most date from the Georgian and Victorian periods; named makers, good weight and complete sets with their extinguishers drive value. Browse our silver collection.
What collectors look for
Complete & with extinguisher
Chamberstick with its original conical snuffer; trimmers with their box and matching tray.
Named makers
Paul Storr, the Batemans and noted Georgian makers carry a premium; check the marks.
Georgian date & weight
Earlier, heavier examples with gadrooned or shaped rims over thin later copies.
Pairs
Matched pairs of chambersticks are scarcer and worth more than singles.
What are antique silver chambersticks & snuffers worth?
Value runs with maker, date, weight and completeness:
Indicative only — your piece depends on maker, hallmark date, weight and completeness. Send a photo for a free, accurate valuation.
What Determines Value
The factors we assess on candle silver:
- Completeness — Extinguisher / snuffer / tray all present.
- Maker — Storr, Bateman and noted makers over unmarked.
- Date — Georgian examples most collected.
- Weight — Heavier gauge silver carries more value.
- Pairs — Matched pairs over singles.
- Condition — No splits, dents, repairs or loaded-base damage.
Marks are on the base, handle and extinguisher — look for the lion passant for sterling. Plate is marked EPNS.
How to identify and date your chamberstick
Check the base, handle and the extinguisher for the lion passant (sterling), town mark, date letter and maker's mark — ideally all parts share the same marks. Note: some candlesticks are "loaded" (weighted with pitch in a thin silver shell), which limits scrap value but not collector appeal. Plated pieces stamped EPNS are worth far less; see our EPNS vs sterling silver guide. The date letter dates it — use our how to read silver hallmarks guide.
Candle silver sits with the table and lighting silver. See our guides to silver candlesticks, Paul Storr silver and browse our silver for sale. When you're ready to sell, visit sell your silver.
Value Your Chamberstick or Snuffers
Send photographs of the piece and the marks on the base, and we'll give you an honest, no-obligation valuation.
⚠️ Strictly by appointment only — no walk-ins at either showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver chambersticks and candle snuffers — common questions.
What is a silver chamberstick?
A low, portable candlestick — a candle nozzle in a dished tray with a ring handle, carried by hand to light the way to bed. Often fitted with a conical extinguisher. Mostly Georgian and Victorian.
What is the difference between a snuffer and an extinguisher?
The conical "snuffer" or extinguisher caps the flame to put it out. Scissor-like "snuffers" (wick trimmers) cut and caught the charred wick. Both are candle accessories and often confused.
How much are antique silver chambersticks worth?
From near silver weight for a plain single up to a strong premium for Georgian, named-maker or paired examples complete with their extinguishers. Maker, date, weight and completeness decide. Send a photo for a free valuation.
What does "loaded" mean?
Many candlesticks have a thin silver shell filled with pitch and a weighted base for stability. Loaded pieces have less scrap silver than their size suggests, but it doesn't affect collector value.
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Look for the lion passant hallmark on the base and parts. Plated pieces are marked EPNS or A1 and worth far less. Send a photo of the marks and we'll confirm.
Where can I sell antique silver chambersticks in the UK?
Mozeris Fine Antiques are specialist silver buyers with showrooms in Mayfair, London and Braintree, Essex. We offer free, no-obligation valuations — send photos or visit by appointment.
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the chamberstick or snuffers and the marks on the base. We'll respond within one working day.