Candlestick (one of a pair) 1738 - 1750

This candlestick, one of a pair, was made in Augsburg, Germany, by Johann Peter Pepfenhauser. It's made of silver, shaped through a combination of casting, chasing, and engraving. The base is particularly interesting, with its ornate foliate decoration. The twisted stem leading to the candle holder demonstrates remarkable skill in manipulating the metal. Silver, of course, is a precious material, reflecting not only the wealth of the patron who commissioned it, but also the labor required to mine, refine, and ultimately transform it into this elegant form. The candlestick embodies a long tradition of silversmithing, which was organized through craft guilds, but also linked to wider systems of trade and consumption. Recognizing the complex processes and social relations embedded in an object like this urges us to expand our understanding of art history, challenging the traditional divide between the fine and decorative arts.