Kandelaber met tien als langgerekte gekrulde bladeren vormgegeven armen 1890

This silver candelabra, adorned with elongated, curled leaves forming its arms, was crafted by the Koninklijke Utrechtsche Fabriek van Zilverwerken van C.J. Begeer. Imagine this candelabra gracing a dining table, its ten candles casting a warm glow on faces gathered around. In a time when electricity was a luxury, such pieces were potent symbols of wealth and status, illuminating the lives of the privileged few. Consider the labor involved in its creation. Skilled artisans meticulously shaped the silver, their hands guided by tradition and the demands of their patrons. This piece reflects the complex interplay between craft, class, and consumer culture. How might the lives of those who made this candelabra differ from those who owned it? What stories do their hands tell? The candelabra’s ornate design speaks to a desire for beauty and refinement, yet it also prompts us to consider the societal structures that made such extravagance possible. It serves as a reminder of the past.