Blaker c. 1671 - 1719

This is a silver candlestick, made by Jacob Dijckman in the late 17th or early 18th century. It's a simple design – a circular base, a short stem to hold the candle, and a handle. Silver objects like this were made by highly skilled silversmiths, who would have started with a bar of raw material. It would have been heated and hammered into the desired shape, then polished to give it that bright, reflective surface. The handle here has been cast as a separate piece and then soldered on. The candlestick speaks to the social and economic context of the time. Silver was a valuable commodity, so owning an object like this was a sign of wealth and status. It also reflects the importance of candlelight in a pre-electric world. These candlesticks provided light and ambiance but also represented the labor, skill, and resources required to produce them. Considering these processes helps us appreciate the cultural significance of even the simplest everyday objects.