Candlestick 1824 - 1825

These candlesticks were made by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, a London firm of goldsmiths and jewelers active from the late 18th to the early 19th century. The company held a Royal Warrant as goldsmiths to the Crown, and their clientele largely consisted of nobility. These candlesticks are excellent examples of the era’s neoclassical taste, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman forms. Neoclassicism gained traction with the rise of the Enlightenment, which championed reason and order. The style found expression in decorative arts that were meant to project an image of refinement and sophistication. The candlesticks' ornamentation is restrained, with details such as the floral motifs and fluted columns suggesting elegance without ostentation. Objects like this tell us much about the social history of design, the relationship between craftsmanship and industry, and the role of institutions in shaping taste. We can understand these objects more deeply by researching the company’s history and the context in which they were produced.