Chamber candlestick 1764

This chamber candlestick was crafted in France in the late 1700s by Pierre-Joseph Pontus. Candlesticks like these were functional objects, designed to be carried from room to room, lighting the way in a world before electricity. What elevates this particular piece, and makes it worthy of museum display, is the quality of its materials and the refinement of its design. The silver from which it’s made speaks to a certain level of wealth and status, as does the delicate ornamentation around the rim and handle. In pre-revolutionary France, objects like these were important markers of social class, announcing the owner’s place in a rigid social hierarchy. For historians, the study of decorative arts offers insight into the daily lives of past societies. By consulting inventories, guild records, and other archival sources, we can piece together a richer understanding of the social and economic context in which objects like this were made and used. Ultimately, this helps us to better understand the values and beliefs of the people who created and cherished them.