The question arose concerning a woman who purchased silver candlesticks but had not yet used them for Shabbat candle lighting. During Shabbat, she decided to bring the new candlesticks to the Shabbat table for decorative purposes, to adorn the table. Is this permissible on Shabbat?
Generally speaking, of course, candlesticks have the status of "Mukse" and may therefore not be handled on Shabbat. In this case, however, since the candlesticks have yet to be used for lighting, we might not assign to them the status of "Mukse." Indeed, the Gemara explicitly establishes in Masechet Shabbat (44), "Metaltelin Ner Hadash" – a new candlestick may be moved on Shabbat, since it has not yet been used for lighting candles.
Hacham Ovadia Yosef, in Hazon Ovadia (261), codifies this Halacha (listen to audio recording for precise citation), adding that it applies even if the candlesticks are very costly. Normally, expensive articles are assigned the status of "Mukse Me’hamat Hisaron Kis" and may not be handled on Shabbat. However, Hacham Ovadia writes that this applies only to articles that are primarily used for an activity forbidden on Shabbat, such as tools and the like. Candlesticks that have not yet been used for lighting would thus not be included under the category of "Mukse Me’hamat Hisaron Kis." Hacham Ovadia adds that this would apply to other expensive articles that are used for permissible purposes, such as an oil painting, other precious artwork, or an expensive clock. If such an item should fall on Shabbat, one is allowed to move it to a safe place, as these articles do not have the status of "Mukse" on Shabbat.
Summary: Candlesticks that have not yet been used for lighting candles are not considered "Mukse" and may be moved on Shabbat.
