How did electric and gas lighting change the everyday use of candlesticks in the late 19th century?

In the late 19th century, the introduction of gas and electric lighting caused the primary need for candlesticks to diminish rapidly. As these more efficient and convenient methods of illumination became widespread, the role of the candlestick shifted significantly.1

The impact on the everyday use of candlesticks included:

• Shift in Design: Designs moved away from decorative aesthetics toward purely utilitarian levels. Candlesticks were relegated to humbler roles, often manufactured from simpler materials like pottery or kitchenware enamel.1
• Continued Utility: Despite the rise of new lighting technologies, candlesticks remained in use for specific tasks. They were considered lighter and easier to handle than portable lamps—such as those fueled by acetylene or paraffin wax—when moving between rooms or going to bed. Consequently, the chamber candlestick, featuring a saucer-shaped base and a small looped handle, remained a common household item.1
• Liturgical Persistence: The use of candlesticks remained largely undiminished in religious and liturgical settings, where they retained their traditional significance.1