We asked whether a candlestick should be propped with a candle or not. Now this candlystick below should have a candle propped. See below for other opinions.

Jeremy Hayes of Port Dover, Canada comments:

I would like to comment on the candle question. If the candlesticks are glass and of any value, I would avoid putting candles in them. I have seen the tops cracked by attempts at jamming and even worse, a beautiful crystal set badly cracked when candles were allowed to burn down. Regards, Jeremy Hayes

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Charles Sweigart of Reinholds, PA opines:

No candles is the equivalent of a bikini without an attractive filler. One compliments the other. As to car vases, the hired driver was to clean and refill them as required. How soon we forget what real wealth was when you owned but did not have to drive or maintain personal transportation

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John Styler of Prospect Heights, IL changes his opinion:

As I read your dissertation on the candles and I immediately went to the mantel and removed the matching colored candles from the Mat-su-no-ke ones I own. They do look better.
As for the flower holders I can remember Felix replacing the flowers daily in our car and once my mother saying the water is rotten and I can smell it. I wish I had those holders today and the Hudson limo as well.

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Terry Smith of Los Angeles focuses on where the candlesticks are placed:

I agree with you, to some extent, and with her – except for being “upset that staff wasn’t adequately maintaining our lobby. She noted that the staff allowed a pair of decorative candlesticks in our lobby to go without candles in them.” Candlesticks, sans candles, seems like a rather petty excuse for a formal complaint to the HOA
“staff” (board of directors?). Since she is so offended, seems like she might instead ask permission to supply candles for display in the building’s lobby.

Candlesticks, being/on display in a museum’s glass case, are rarely displayed with candles. The beauty of the candlesticks, themselves, is more important than their
actual utilitarian purpose. But, when candlesticks are part of a display in a more domestic setting, having them “fitted” as they were intended seems like an obvious
choice. Candles of an appropriate scale the the sticks, themselves, and in a color that is complimentary to the surroundings could be more pleasant to many people.

The candlesticks in my collection that are displayed in a cabinet are sans-candles. But, those displayed on a dining table or sideboard or other occasional table are
fitted with candles. When “entertaining” the candles would always be lit, which seems like some kind of an social etiquette thing passed-down from my late mother.

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Finally, Steve Skalsky of Chandler, AZ adds:

I agree with you Alan, no candle or flowers are needed, in my opinion.