Swan candelabrum (one of a pair) 1745 - 1750

This swan candelabrum was made by the Meissen Manufactory. Porcelain is a challenging material; its fineness belies the expertise required to mold and fire it successfully. Here, the crisp whiteness of the swan contrasts dramatically with the gilded bronze or brass that forms the base and candle arms. Note the way the porcelain has been worked to mimic the swan’s downy feathers. The modelers at Meissen were masters of capturing naturalistic detail in this medium. The contrast between the handmade quality of the porcelain and the cast metalwork emphasizes the division of labor prevalent in early manufacturing. While the swan may have been formed in a mold, considerable handwork would still have been necessary to refine its form. The candelabrum speaks to the complex interplay of artistic skill, material properties, and social context that defines so many works straddling the line between art and design.