A vintage candle holder is most commonly called a candlestick (for a single candle) or a candelabrum (for multiple candles). You may also see the term candle stand, especially for taller, freestanding styles, and chamberstick for the classic handheld holder with a drip tray and finger loop.
The best name depends on the holder’s shape and how it was meant to be used. Shoppers and collectors often use “vintage candle holder” as a broad umbrella, then narrow it down by form and era.
Candlestick: A general term for a single-candle holder, ranging from simple turned-wood styles to ornate brass or silver pieces.
Candelabra/Candelabrum: A multi-arm holder designed to display several taper candles at once. “Candelabra” is often used for both singular and plural in everyday speech.
Chamberstick: A small, portable holder—typically metal—with a flat base (drip pan) and a handle, once used for moving a lit candle from room to room.
Pricket candlestick: An older style with a pointed spike (pricket) that the candle is pressed onto—common in early European designs before standardized candle sizes.
Hurricane candle holder: A holder with a glass shade or chimney that helps protect the flame from drafts, popular in traditional and coastal décor.
Floor candle holder / candle stand: A taller piece meant to sit on the floor beside a fireplace, entryway, or reading chair—often seen in retro wooden designs.
If it holds one taper, “candlestick” will usually get the best results. If it has multiple arms, use “candelabra.” If it’s portable with a tray and handle, “chamberstick” is the precise name. For tall, freestanding pieces, “floor candle holder” or “candle stand” is typically the most accurate.
For ideas on styling tall, retro options—especially wooden floor candle holders—see this placement and style guide.
A candlestick usually holds one candle, while a candelabra has multiple arms for several candles. The candelabra is more of a statement piece and often wider or taller.
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