Antique Silver Guides · Mozeris Fine Antiques
Antique Silver Chambersticks & Candle Snuffers
An antique silver chamberstick is a candle holder on a dished base with a ring handle, carried to light the way to bed, often with a conical extinguisher and a pair of snuffers. Most collected are Georgian examples, complete with their original parts and marked alike on every piece.
Updated October 2026
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 short candle holder on a dished base with a handle; snuffers trim the wick and the conical extinguisher puts the flame out.
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.
"Complete is key: a chamberstick with its original extinguisher, or trimmers with their tray, is worth far more than odd survivors."
What collectors look for
Collectors of candle silver look for completeness first, then for a good maker, a Georgian date and matched pairs.
- Complete & with extinguisherChamberstick with its original conical snuffer; trimmers with their box and matching tray.
- Named makersPaul Storr, the Batemans and noted Georgian makers are keenly collected; check the marks.
- Georgian date & weightEarlier, heavier examples with gadrooned or shaped rims over thin later copies.
- PairsMatched pairs of chambersticks are scarcer and worth more than singles.
What are antique silver chambersticks & snuffers worth?
Every piece is valued individually. These are the things we look at:
What drives value
- CompletenessThe extinguisher, snuffers or tray all present with the chamberstick.
- MakerPaul Storr, the Batemans and noted Georgian makers, against unmarked pieces.
- DateGeorgian examples are the most collected.
- WeightHeavier gauge silver. Loaded (pitch-filled) bases are worth checking.
- Pairs and conditionMatched pairs, and no splits, dents or repairs.
Every piece is different. Send us a few photos and we will tell you what your chamberstick is worth, free and with no obligation. Get a free valuation
What Determines Value
The value of a silver chamberstick is decided by completeness, maker, date, weight and condition.
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.
What We Look For When a Chamberstick Arrives
When a chamberstick arrives we check that every part is present, the extinguisher, the snuffers or the tray, and that the marks on each part agree with each other.
Then we look at the base for splits and repairs, check whether a candlestick is loaded with pitch, and note the maker and date, because completeness and condition decide how candle silver is valued.
How selling works
- Send photosUse the form on this page, or email them to us.
- A specialist reviews itMaker, marks, age and condition.
- Free estimate by emailWithin one working day.
- You decidePaid once agreed. No obligation.
Free valuation
Request a free valuation
Send us a few photos of your chamberstick. A specialist looks at every request personally and replies by email with an estimate within one working day. There is no obligation to sell.
What to photograph
- The whole piece. The chamberstick with its extinguisher and snuffers.
- The underside. The base, including any loading or repairs.
- The hallmarks, close up. On the base, the handle and the extinguisher.
Prefer email? Send photos to info@mozerisfineantiques.com or call 01376 334 482.
Ways to sell
- Mayfair (by appointment)
- Braintree (by appointment)
- Royal Mail Special Delivery
- Free FedEx collection
We buy directly, with payment once you accept our offer, and we can also sell for you by consignment or in our own auctions.
How to identify and date your chamberstick
Check the base, the handle and the extinguisher for the lion passant, the town mark, the date letter and the maker's mark; ideally every part matches.
| Mark | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Maker's mark | The initials of the maker or firm, in a shield. |
| Lion passant | The English mark for sterling silver. |
| Town mark | The assay office: leopard's head for London, anchor for Birmingham. |
| Date letter | The year of assay. The letter style and shield change with each cycle. |
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.
Sterling or plate?
Sterling silver
- Lion passant: the English sterling mark
- A town mark, a date letter and a maker's mark
- Valued as antique silver: maker, date, form and condition
Silver plate (EPNS)
- Stamped EPNS or A1, with no lion passant or date letter.
- The marks often imitate hallmarks, so check each one
- Worth far less: decorative value only
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 office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Antique silver chambersticks and candle snuffers: common questions.
What is a silver chamberstick?
What is the difference between a snuffer and an extinguisher?
How much are antique silver chambersticks worth?
What does "loaded" mean?
How do I tell sterling from plate?
Where can I sell antique silver chambersticks in the UK?
Send Us Your Photographs
Attach photos of the chamberstick or snuffers and the marks on the base. We'll respond within one working day.
Sell Your Antique Silver Chambersticks & Snuffers
We buy antique sterling silver chambersticks, candle snuffers, wick trimmers and snuffer trays (Georgian, named makers and pairs) valued as antique silver, not as scrap. Free valuation, no obligation.