Traveling candlestick 1788 - 1789

This traveling candlestick was made by Jean-Pierre Charpenat in the 1700s from silver. Silver is a wonderful material for candlesticks, as it reflects the light and doesn't easily burn. This piece would have started as a flat disk, then formed using techniques such as hammering, annealing, and raising. Notice the concentric lines, which weren't just for decoration but an index of the maker's process. The candlestick is small enough to be portable, suggesting a need for illumination on the go. Perhaps it belonged to a merchant, soldier, or someone of means, able to afford such a luxury. This piece embodies a moment in history when travel was becoming more common, and personal items like these were a sign of status and security in a changing world. It's a reminder that even simple objects can carry rich stories about labor, trade, and personal identity.