Candlestick 1849 - 1858

This candlestick was made by the United States Pottery Company, which was founded in 1852. The company emerged during a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization in the United States, shaping both its production methods and aesthetic sensibilities. As an object, the candlestick speaks to the intimacy of domestic life, yet it also reflects broader social dynamics of the late 19th century. During this era, decorative arts became increasingly accessible to the middle class, but production often depended on a workforce whose labor was undervalued and largely invisible. The mottled glaze of the candlestick is particularly interesting, evoking natural forms while showcasing the artifice of industrial production. It occupies a space between the handmade and the machine-made, reflecting a society grappling with its relationship to nature and to labor. This piece encourages us to consider the stories embedded in everyday objects.