Chamber candlestick or taperstick 1811 - 1812

This elegant chamber candlestick was made by John Ash I, a silversmith active around the turn of the 19th century. It is made of silver, of course, which has here been worked to a gleam. Now, you might think of silver as a precious material associated with wealth, which it is. But think about the labor involved in the production of this taperstick. Silver mining was dangerous, the refining process was noxious, and the silversmith's work required intense heat, a careful hand, and long hours at the bench. The result is an intimate object designed for use in the private sphere of the home. The handle, the square pan to catch wax drippings, even the extinguisher chained to the side – all these details speak of function. Objects like this remind us that all things, however beautiful, are the result of someone's work. By attending to materiality, making, and context, we can better appreciate the full meaning of this object, bridging the traditional gap between fine art and craft.