They look like candles, but they never burn. Vintage Lucite candles are solid acrylic shaped like tapers and pillars, with sparkling metallic foil flecks suspended inside and often a little metallic gold wick on top. Once a mid-century decor staple, they've become one of the most sought-after vintage decor pieces around.
What Are Lucite Candles?
Lucite is an acrylic first made by DuPont in the 1930s. In the 1950s through the '70s, decor makers cast it into candle shapes, embedding gold, silver, copper or colored foil flakes inside. Because they never melt or burn, they were made to sit on mantels, tables and holiday displays year after year.
Makers to Look For
- Gregorian: known for fleck candles in copper, silver and gold, sometimes with matching Lucite bases or metal tulip holders.
- Hempstead Creations: clear candles with gold flecks, sometimes sold with matching stands.
Most Lucite candles are unmarked, so original boxes, labels and matching bases add to their appeal and value. Finding candles still with their original bases is uncommon.
Popular Styles
- Gold, silver and copper fleck tapers: the classic look, often 10 to 12 inches tall.
- Confetti and glitter Lucite: multicolored or holographic flecks, including shapes like stars and hearts.
- Colored Lucite: red, blue, amber and smoky tints.
- Holiday pieces: red, green and gold for Christmas displays.
- Pairs and sets: usually found in pairs or graduated heights.
- Candles with bases: matching Lucite, brass or metal holders.
Vintage or New?
Because they're so popular, brand-new acrylic fleck candles are being made today, and some are sold alongside vintage ones. Signs of a true vintage piece include:
- Weight: solid vintage Lucite feels heavy for its size.
- Gentle wear: light surface scratches and softened edges from decades of handling.
- Wick: an aged metallic wick, sometimes slightly frayed or tarnished.
- Original bases, labels or boxes.
- Flecks inside: foil should be suspended inside the acrylic, never painted on the surface.
Look closely for internal cracks or crazing, which can't be repaired.
Caring for Lucite Candles
- Dust with a soft cloth or wash gently with mild soapy water.
- Never use glass cleaners with ammonia or alcohol, which can cloud or crack acrylic.
- Keep them away from heat; they're purely decorative and should never be lit.
- Fine surface scratches can often be buffed out with plastic polish.
How to Style Them
- Set a pair in brass or crystal candlesticks on a dining table.
- Place them near a window, where sunlight makes the flecks sparkle.
- Group several heights on a mantel or sideboard.
- Bring out red, green and gold ones for a nostalgic Christmas display.
- Pair them with amber glass or brass for a warm, glamorous look.
Why Collectors Love Them
Lucite candles capture the fun, glamour and optimism of mid-century design. They're safe, maintenance-free and full of sparkle, and for many people they bring back memories of a grandparent's living room.
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