Mid-Century Modern Weighted Sterling Silver Low Candelstick by Empire Silver Co.
Candelstick/Hollowware · Empire Silver Company of Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1946, they are known for producing high-quality American sterling hollowware, particularly weighted items, and continue to operate as a prominent name in the giftware industry.
Pattern: Modernist Colonial. This is a standard geometric pattern produced mid-century, featuring a bulbous tulip-style cup and a square weighted base with rounded corners.
Type
Candelstick/Hollowware
Maker
Empire Silver Company of Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1946, they are known for producing high-quality American sterling hollowware, particularly weighted items, and continue to operate as a prominent name in the giftware industry.
Material
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) skin over a weighted core. The core is typically composed of pitch, cement, or lead to provide stability to the lightweight silver sheet shell.
Dimensions
Approximately 3 to 4 inches in height with a 3-inch square base. While it feels heavy due to the internal weight, the actual silver content is likely between 15 to 30 grams.
Description
A classic example of mid-20th century American utility silver. This Empire sterling candlestick features a refined silhouette with a square, pedestal-style base that provides a solid architectural foundation. The deep tarnish suggests long-term storage, which has developed into a 'gunmetal' patina. When polished, it reveals the bright, lustrous quality of high-purity American sterling.
Key Features
Weighted base for safety, tulip-shaped wax catcher, and the distinct Empire Silver Co. 'Empire' stamp (assumed) on the underside. The rounded square base is a hallmark of this specific model series.
Material & Composition
Sterling Silver (.925 purity) skin over a weighted core. The core is typically composed of pitch, cement, or lead to provide stability to the lightweight silver sheet shell.
Finish & Decoration
Highly tarnish-patinated mirror finish. The design is minimalist with horizontal banding on the neck and a simple tulip-shaped socket. It lacks heavy engraving, focusing on clean lines typical of post-war American silver.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Likely stamped on the bottom rim with 'Empire', 'Sterling', 'Weighted', and the model number. The heavy black tarnish currently obscures these marks in the image.
Construction Details
Machine-spun and die-struck silver skin. The piece is assembled by crimping the silver foil over a pre-cast weighted base. The vertical seam where sections join is typically soldered and buffed.
Functional Features
Deep tulip socket designed to hold a standard 7/8 inch taper candle. The base is wide and loaded to prevent tipping.
Handle & Grip Details
None; the stem serves as the primary grip point, featuring ribbed decorative rings for tactile stability.
Craftsmanship Details
Commercial-grade machine craftsmanship. The symmetry is excellent, and the crimped edges at the base indicate a standard industrial production line common for 'giftware' sterling.
Authentication Indicators
Construction method is consistent with American weighted sterling of the era. The way the light reflects off the 'fire scale' and tarnish is characteristic of real silver versus silver plate.
Origin & Manufacturing
Brooklyn, New York, USA. Manufactured using 20th-century industrial silver production techniques common in the American Northeast.
Era & Period
Mid-Century Modern (c. 1945-1965). The transitional design blends traditional colonial proportions with the minimalist aesthetic of the 1950s.
Age Estimate
Circa 1950-1960. The silhouette and the specific style of the weighted base are emblematic of this decade.
Cultural Significance
Represents the 'American Dream' era of formal dining where silver was an essential household status symbol, even in its more affordable weighted forms.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair due to surface condition. The item is heavily oxidized (tarnished) and shows several small surface dings/depressions on the socket and base. No visible splits in the silver skin, but the heavy tarnish may hide scratches. Grade: Fair.
Value Estimate
$25 - $55 USD. The value is primarily in the brand and aesthetic, as the silver weight is minimal due to the internal weighting material.
Care & Maintenance
Needs a deep clean with a high-quality silver cream like Wright's. Avoid immersion in water as it can damage the weighted core; hand-polish only and dry immediately to prevent spotting.
Similar Pieces
Gorham 'Strasbourg' weighted sticks (more ornate), Tiffany & Co. bamboo motif sticks (higher value), and Duchin Creation weighted silver (similar price point).
Interesting Facts
Empire Silver Co. is one of the few mid-century Brooklyn silver firms still in business today. Weighted pieces like this were popularized as affordable luxury for the expanding middle class in post-WWII America.