This website was created in order to provide information about chambersticks and to display my private collection of metallic chambersticks, mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries.
I started collecting chambersticks about 10 years ago without intending to create a collection or to exhibit the items I collected. However, during the past 10 years as my collection grew, I realized that chambersticks are rarely described as a category of decorative or practical object in their own right. While references to chambersticks refer generally to lighting devices, candlesticks, and candelabra as holders for one or more candles, chambersticks themselves are only mentioned as a subset of candlesticks. To the best of my knowledge there is no catalogue or collection devoted exclusively to chambersticks.
One can find examples of various chambersticks in books about candlesticks and/or lighting in the 18th-20th centuries but these are limited to certain types or certain periods of chambersticks. The catalogue of the Lear Collection is one of the few catalogues which has a section on chambersticks. It carries the explanation that the term “chamberstick” and “hand candlestick”, denoting a portable candle holder usually of pan-form and incorporating a carrying handle, are found in many 16th and 17th century English inventories.
The main purpose of this site is to exhibit a variety of metallic chambersticks mostly from the 18th and 19th centuries. Since I am learning about the subject as I increase my collection, comments, corrections and additions will be welcome.
The chambersticks are not for sale. They were bought through the Internet and at visits to various antiques exhibitions and antique stores internationally.