Weighted Sterling Silver Candlestick
Candelabra/Candlestick · Unknown American or International Manufacturer, stamped with pattern/serial number 15066
Pattern: Standard weighted domestic candlestick line
Type
Candelabra/Candlestick
Maker
Unknown American or International Manufacturer, stamped with pattern/serial number 15066
Material
Sterling silver (.925) shell or plating over a weighted interior base material (typically plaster, resin, or weighted filler with a metal rod)
Dimensions
Estimated small individual table candlestick, approximately 3 to 4 inches in height with a flared circular base roughly 3 inches in diameter
Description
A classic weighted sterling silver candlestick base showing rich multicolored tarnish and patina. The underside displays the production number 15066 and maker's marks. The hollow flared base is designed to provide stability while utilizing a thin shell of sterling silver over a weighted interior composition.
Key Features
Clearly visible inventory number 15066, flared circular base, and heavy tarnish with iridescent fire scale patina
Material & Composition
Sterling silver (.925) shell or plating over a weighted interior base material (typically plaster, resin, or weighted filler with a metal rod)
Finish & Decoration
Polished silver with natural tarnish and rainbow fire assay toning
Hallmarks & Stamps
Stamped number '15066' on the underside rim alongside faint manufacturer hallmarks
Construction Details
Machine-stamped or spun sheet silver shell filled with weighted interior stabilizing material
Functional Features
Designed to hold standard taper candles with a hollow base and central weighted core for stability
Handle & Grip Details
N/A - standard candlestick base without handles
Craftsmanship Details
Standard commercial manufacturing utilizing spun or pressed sheet silver over a weighted core, functional and durable for domestic use
Authentication Indicators
Numeric stamping '15066' and maker's stamp on the base edge are consistent with mid-century weighted American silver production
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely United States, produced during the mid-century mass-market silver manufacturing era
Era & Period
Mid-20th Century (c. 1940-1970)
Age Estimate
Circa mid-20th century, approximately 1950s based on the style of numbering and manufacturing
Cultural Significance
Represent the accessible luxury of mid-century formal dining, where matching pairs of candlesticks were staples of domestic tables
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. Shows moderate surface scratching, tarnish with rainbow oxidation, and potential minor dings typical of vintage weighted silver pieces
Value Estimate
Low to moderate market value, typically valued primarily for scrap silver weight of the shell minus the weighted interior, roughly $20 to $50 depending on current spot silver prices
Care & Maintenance
Clean gently with a soft silver polishing cloth, avoiding harsh dips which can degrade the weighted interior if exposed through micro-cracks
Similar Pieces
Weighted candlesticks by major makers such as Fisher, Gorham, or Wallace with similar four-digit model numbers
Interesting Facts
Weighted candlesticks often use non-silver internal filling to provide a low-cost, stable alternative to solid cast silver candlesticks, which would be prohibitively heavy and expensive