A pair of vintage turned wooden candlesticks with brass inserts.

Candlesticks have been used for millennia to provide light, evolving from simple tallow dips to ornate decorative objects. Wooden candlesticks, particularly those with turned designs, became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, often crafted by local woodworkers or produced in larger workshops. They were a common household item, used for both practical illumination and as decorative accents in homes across various social strata.

The inclusion of metal inserts, like the brass seen here, was a common feature to protect the wood from heat and wax drips, and to provide a more stable seating for the candle. The spindle-turned style is reminiscent of colonial or early American design, though such forms were produced in many regions and periods, making precise dating without maker's marks challenging. These holders represent a functional yet decorative aspect of historical home furnishings.