Skip to main content

Classical Roman Candle Holders

CLASSICAL ROMAN STYLE

During Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 A.D., Pompeii and Herculaneum in today’s Italy were preserved as they were on the day of their destruction. Particularly at Herculaneum, furnishings were carbonized beneath volcanic ash. This was pivotal to understanding how Classical Roman furniture was designed. Archaeological investigations and printed reproductions of discoveries would influence styles evoking this ancient civilization, from the Renaissance to neoclassicism.

While knowledge of Classical Roman furniture comes from rare surviving pieces, it is also derived from frescoes and sculptures portraying Roman life. Much of Roman art, architecture and design was informed by Greece — Roman architect, military engineer and writer Marcus Vitruvius Pollio, whose timeless De architectura is taught in contemporary architecture classes and pays tribute to classical architecture, visited Greece while working under Julius Caesar and admired the country’s architectural developments. The Roman solium references the Greek thronos, a stately chair of honor with an upright form and footstool. As the Roman Empire spread across Europe and into North Africa and Western Asia, the expansion of trade for silver, silk, marble and wood allowed for more luxurious designs.

Classical Roman furniture was made from bronze, wood and stone — in particular, marble — with ornate touches like tortoiseshell veneers, bone and glass inlays and claw feet. Ornaments depicting lion heads and mythological figures were sculpted from silver, bronze and ivory. Compared to the decorative attention given to the mosaic floors and wall paintings, however, furniture for even a wealthy house was minimal. It focused on the necessities for guests arriving for both socializing and business and the rooms housing family, relatives and enslaved people.

The triclinium dining room had banquet couches, items so prized they were sometimes interred with the deceased. Tall bronze or terracotta candelabras held oil lamps for lighting. Carved marble tables reflected status, while the lararium home shrine demonstrated faith.

Find a collection of Classical Roman decorative objects, tables, seating and other furniture on 1stDibs.

to
1
12
1
1
5
6
1
3
1
1,641
894
797
573
319
305
296
274
240
187
182
174
169
134
124
114
44
10
9
3
2
2
2
8
4
7
2
2
2
1
Height
to
Width
to
13
13
13
1
Style: Classical Roman
Antique Roman Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp, Silenus Mask Lid, 1890
Antique Roman Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp, Silenus Mask Lid, 1890

Antique Roman Byzantine Bronze Oil Lamp, Silenus Mask Lid, 1890

Located in Moreno Valley, CA

An Antique Roman Byzantine style bronze oil lamp with elaborate open work handle with pierced palm frond and swan neck handle, with pear form body, and circular wick mouth, centered ...

Category

Late 19th Century Egyptian Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Castilian Imports Bronze Column Candlesticks, 20th Century
Castilian Imports Bronze Column Candlesticks, 20th Century

Castilian Imports Bronze Column Candlesticks, 20th Century

Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA

Castilian Imports Bronze Column Candlesticks. 20th Century.

Category

20th Century Indian Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze, Iron

Large Pair of Italian Majolica Putti Candleholders
Large Pair of Italian Majolica Putti Candleholders

Large Pair of Italian Majolica Putti Candleholders

Located in Palm Beach, FL

Italian Majolica of golden haired putti, set on rocks beside and embracing acanthus detailed candleholder, resting on separate scroll cornered square base; both pieces of glazed terr...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Ceramic

Austrian .800 Silver Candelabra / Epergne 3D Man with Axe 87.9 ozt Vienna #6492
Austrian .800 Silver Candelabra / Epergne 3D Man with Axe 87.9 ozt Vienna #6492

Austrian .800 Silver Candelabra / Epergne 3D Man with Axe 87.9 ozt Vienna #6492

Located in Big Bend, WI

Austrian .800 Silver Incredible Austrian .800 silver 6-light candelabra / epergne from Vienna, Austria (maker unknown). This massive piece features a three dimensional man holding...

Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Porcelain Candelabra
Pair of Porcelain Candelabra

Pair of Porcelain Candelabra

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Lantau, HK

Decorative with figures followers in relief. Porcelain hand painted, marked and the engraving 4611 12. Minor chips Shipping included Free and fast delivery door to door by air...

Category

19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Antique hallm. historic French pewter candlestick candle holder chiseled garland
Antique hallm. historic French pewter candlestick candle holder chiseled garland

Antique hallm. historic French pewter candlestick candle holder chiseled garland

Located in Landshut, BY

historic French pewter candle holder Since ancient times, candlesticks have been made in this way. for a good reason :: it makes sense! chiseled garland Manufactured in Southern Fran...

Category

1850s French Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Pewter

Pair of  Patinated Iron and Ebonized Metal PricketsCandleholders Torcheres
Pair of  Patinated Iron and Ebonized Metal PricketsCandleholders Torcheres

Pair of Patinated Iron and Ebonized Metal PricketsCandleholders Torcheres

Located in Germantown, MD

Pair of Roman Style Patinated Iron and Ebonized Metal Prickets. Patinated cast iron base. Measure 9" in diameter at the base and stand 42" tall. Accommodate large size candles.

Category

Early 20th Century American Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Metal, Iron

Large Antique NeoClassical Gold Color Bronze 6 arm Candle or Electric Chandelier
Large Antique NeoClassical Gold Color Bronze 6 arm Candle or Electric Chandelier

Large Antique NeoClassical Gold Color Bronze 6 arm Candle or Electric Chandelier

Located in Lisse, NL

Excellent quality and great looking, solid bronze chandelier. If you are looking for a truly remarkable and highly decorative fixture then this stunning and large size candle chande...

Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Italian 17th Century Pair Decorative Torchères Hand-Carved Walnut Giltwood
Italian 17th Century Pair Decorative Torchères Hand-Carved Walnut Giltwood

Italian 17th Century Pair Decorative Torchères Hand-Carved Walnut Giltwood

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Italian precious original 17th century pair of decorative columns , Torchères, hand-carved walnut gold leaf covered, on a tripod base.

Category

17th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 20th Century Roman Tulip Fluted Brass Candlesticks
Pair of 20th Century Roman Tulip Fluted Brass Candlesticks

Pair of 20th Century Roman Tulip Fluted Brass Candlesticks

Located in Germantown, MD

A Pair of 20th Century Tulip Fluted Brass Candlesticks Measures 35" in width, 5" in depth and 16.5" in height.

Category

20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Pair of Gilt Patinated Metal Ecclesiastical Style Candleholders, circa 1920s
Pair of Gilt Patinated Metal Ecclesiastical Style Candleholders, circa 1920s

Pair of Gilt Patinated Metal Ecclesiastical Style Candleholders, circa 1920s

Located in Germantown, MD

A unique pair of gilt ormolu patinated metal candleholders in the ecclesiastical style. Good antique condition.

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Metal

Carved Painted and Gilt Wood Column Display Pedestal
Carved Painted and Gilt Wood Column Display Pedestal

Carved Painted and Gilt Wood Column Display Pedestal

Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight

Carved painted and gilt wood column display pedestal The column is set on a square base, the central column is deeply reeded and supports a square platform top The column is in t...

Category

Mid-20th Century Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Paint

Related Items
Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Baroque Candleholders
Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Baroque Candleholders

Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Baroque Candleholders

$1,876Sale Price / set|55% Off

H 13.39 in W 17.13 in D 4.34 in

Pair of 18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood Baroque Candleholders

Located in Buisson, FR

Unique Baroque giltwood candleholders for in total 6 candles, Italy, circa 1750-1780. Weathered, repairs and losses. More pictures available on request. Measurement individual.

Category

18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Wood

Pair 19th Century Meissen candelabra
Pair 19th Century Meissen candelabra

Pair 19th Century Meissen candelabra

$4,871

H 18.51 in W 10.63 in D 10.63 in

Pair 19th Century Meissen candelabra

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality pair of 19th Century German Meissen porcelain three branch candelabra. Each with classical female figures holding a child, the scrolling foliate decoration to the...

Category

19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Meissen Pair of Musicians Seated in Ormolu Candelabra
Meissen Pair of Musicians Seated in Ormolu Candelabra

Meissen Pair of Musicians Seated in Ormolu Candelabra

$17,392 / set

H 9.85 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in

Meissen Pair of Musicians Seated in Ormolu Candelabra

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Basildon, GB

Meissen Porcelain Figurines, Pair of seated Musician figures. 14cm high figures, Crossed swords mark to rear of base, c1745. Both figures mounted in an 18th Century ormolu arbour ...

Category

1740s German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of Victorian Silver Plated  Four Light  Candelabra
Pair of Victorian Silver Plated  Four Light  Candelabra

Pair of Victorian Silver Plated Four Light Candelabra

Located in Montreal, QC

While unmarked, these seem to us to be in the style of Elkington. The prevailing motif is fruiting vine, the stem, arms and drip pans continue the theme, the three legged base is als...

Category

19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Silver Plate

Pair of Antique French Bronze Figural Sticks, circa 1890
Pair of Antique French Bronze Figural Sticks, circa 1890

Pair of Antique French Bronze Figural Sticks, circa 1890

Located in New Orleans, LA

Pair of Antique French Bronze Figural Sticks circa 1890.

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair 19th Century Meissen Candelabra
Pair 19th Century Meissen Candelabra

Pair 19th Century Meissen Candelabra

$6,680 / set

H 19.69 in Dm 10.24 in

Pair 19th Century Meissen Candelabra

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality pair of 19th century German Meissen porcelain three branch candelabra, each with two children representing 'Summer' and 'Fall' holding the harvest and grapes. Bl...

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Pair 18th Century Meissen Porcelain & French Doré Three Arm Bronze Candelabras
Pair 18th Century Meissen Porcelain & French Doré Three Arm Bronze Candelabras

Pair 18th Century Meissen Porcelain & French Doré Three Arm Bronze Candelabras

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in New York, NY

18th Century Meissen Porcelain and French Doré Bronze Candelabras with Applied Porcelain Flowers Step into an era where Meissen porcelain meets French doré bronze in a harmonious bl...

Category

18th Century German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

Antique German Silver Candelabra, 800 Standard, Six Lights, Circa 1900
Antique German Silver Candelabra, 800 Standard, Six Lights, Circa 1900

Antique German Silver Candelabra, 800 Standard, Six Lights, Circa 1900

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

An exceptional, fine and impressive pair of antique German 800 standard silver six-light candelabra; an addition to our ornamental silverware collection These exceptional antique German silver candelabra have a square shaped form to a cylindrical column onto a stepped swept square foot. Each impressive silver six light candelabrum retains the original hallmarked detachable push fit scrolling arms embellished with reed decoration. The branches (labra) support six circular rounded capitals, each embellished with embossed fluted and floral decoration, all segmented with bead decoration. The capitals are fitted with the original push fit incurved square sconces, embellished with further reed decoration. Each capital of these German candelabra centrepieces surmount an impressive square drip pan, featuring identical ornamentation to that of the sconces. Each silver candelabrum is fitted with a detachable screw fit central elevated capital, bearing the same ornamentation as the aforementioned examples; this detachable screw fit component indicates the high quality of the piece. These versatile candelabra can be used as candlesticks once the arms are detached. The Corinthian capital surmounts a Classic column encircled with vertical fluted decoration. The plain square swept foot is embellished with an applied wreath design, in addition to tied reed decoration to the lower portion. Both German silver candelabra have weighted bases, as to be expected, and are fitted with green baize to the underside. The hallmarks to the rim of each antique silver base include: National mark: Crescent moon and crown Silver quality/purity mark: .800 (800/1000) Maker's mark: Unknown Retailers mark: W. Kluge & Co, Berlin Such six-light candelabra are highly desirable and becoming increasingly difficult to locate. Condition These exceptional examples of 1900s silverware...

Category

Early 1900s German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair French Parrot Candelabras Porcelain Bird Candlesticks
Pair French Parrot Candelabras Porcelain Bird Candlesticks

Pair French Parrot Candelabras Porcelain Bird Candlesticks

Located in Potters Bar, GB

Quirky pair of French porcelain parrot candelabras Birds stand perched on the porcelain branch Also features ormolu fixtures original Very bright and colourful, would add energy to a...

Category

1980s Vintage Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Ormolu

Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Candelabra
Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Candelabra

Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Candelabra

$7,652 / set

H 17.33 in Dm 11.42 in

Pair of 19th Century Meissen Porcelain Candelabra

By Meissen Porcelain

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A good quality pair of 19th century Meissen Porcelain five branch candelabra, each having wonderful floral and fruit encrusted decoration, with figures of children play beneath and r...

Category

19th Century German Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items
Roman Style Gilt Patinated Bronze Candelabra, Pair
Roman Style Gilt Patinated Bronze Candelabra, Pair

Roman Style Gilt Patinated Bronze Candelabra, Pair

Located in Astoria, NY

Pair of Roman Style Gilt and Patinated Bronze Candelabra, late 19th century, after the antique, each with five branches atop fluted tapering columns on griffon monopodia feet. 24.5" ...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Carved Painted and Metal Candelabras
Pair of Mid-Century Italian Carved Painted and Metal Candelabras

Pair of Mid-Century Italian Carved Painted and Metal Candelabras

Located in Dallas, TX

Make an elegant statement in your home with these ornate antique candelabras. Crafted in Italy, circa 1950, each candle holder stands on a urn form...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Metal

Vintage 1950s Brass Dragon Candle Holders
Vintage 1950s Brass Dragon Candle Holders

Vintage 1950s Brass Dragon Candle Holders

Located in San Diego, CA

Stylish and elegant Gothic pair of solid brass candle holders. This rare pair present the mythical gothic winged dragon. The figures are full of detail and...

Category

1950s Saudi Arabian Vintage Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood and Painted Three-Arm Candlestick
18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood and Painted Three-Arm Candlestick

18th Century Italian Carved Giltwood and Painted Three-Arm Candlestick

Located in Dallas, TX

Make an elegant statement in your home with this tall, ornate antique candelabra. Crafted in Italy, circa 1780, the candle holder stands on a square base; it features three arms and ...

Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Giltwood, Paint

1900s Set of Large English Silver Plated Classical Church Column Candlesticks
1900s Set of Large English Silver Plated Classical Church Column Candlesticks

1900s Set of Large English Silver Plated Classical Church Column Candlesticks

Located in Haarlem, NL

I love this set of large English antique classical church column candlesticks. They are silver plated but most of it has been cleaned off over time, it...

Category

Early 20th Century British Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Brass

Antique French Giltwood and Mirrored Shell Form Wall Candelabra, 20th Century
Antique French Giltwood and Mirrored Shell Form Wall Candelabra, 20th Century

Antique French Giltwood and Mirrored Shell Form Wall Candelabra, 20th Century

Located in Big Flats, NY

An antique French wall candelabra offers giltwood plate in shell form having three s-scroll arms terminating in foliate form candle receivers, 20th century. Measures: 24" H x 19.5...

Category

20th Century French Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Metal

Pair of Verdigris Bronze Candlesticks
Pair of Verdigris Bronze Candlesticks

Pair of Verdigris Bronze Candlesticks

Located in Chicago, IL

A pair of vintage bronze candlesticks with a fantastic neoclassical Roman form with a wonderful rich verdigris finish covering the entirety...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Classical Bronze and Gilt Bronze Torchere with a Winged Sphinx
Classical Bronze and Gilt Bronze Torchere with a Winged Sphinx

Classical Bronze and Gilt Bronze Torchere with a Winged Sphinx

Located in London, by appointment only

This exceptional cast bronze torchiere is modelled after the Roman originals discovered in Italy The winged Sphinx is an ancient motif that dates back t...

Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Classical Roman Candle Holders

Materials

Bronze

Classical Roman candle holders for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Classical Roman candle holders for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage candle holders created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Classical Roman candle holders made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for candle holders differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,084 and tops out at $39,995 while the average work can sell for $3,822.