Adjustable Candle Holder c. 1937

Howard Lumbard made this watercolor drawing of an adjustable candle holder sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. At first glance, it’s a straightforward depiction of a functional object. However, it’s worth considering why an artist would choose to represent such a commonplace item. One possibility is that Lumbard was interested in documenting everyday objects as a way of preserving a record of material culture from that period. The drawing itself is meticulous, with careful attention paid to the texture and form of the metal. This suggests an interest in craftsmanship and the value of handmade objects, perhaps in contrast to the increasing industrialization of the time. We can see it as part of a broader trend in American art and design towards valuing the handmade and the vernacular. To understand this work more fully, we might look to archives of folk art and material culture for more information. This way, we can better understand its place in the social history of the United States.