Pair of candlesticks 1751 - 1761

These candlesticks were created by the Derby Porcelain Manufactory around 1770, crafted from delicate porcelain. At first glance, the eye is drawn to the playful composition. Three cherubic figures, rendered in meticulous detail, support an ornate, foliate candleholder. Consider how the group dynamic works within the structure. The figures are arranged in a way that suggests movement and instability, yet they are frozen in a perpetual, balanced configuration. The twisting forms of the figures, combined with the elaborate, curving base, create a sense of Rococo exuberance. The choice of porcelain as a medium is significant here. Its smooth, reflective surface enhances the sculptural qualities, and creates a sense of lightness. The figures seem almost weightless, as though they could float away. They also reflect a fascination with exoticism, and the ornamental style prevalent in 18th-century Europe. Note how the intertwined figures destabilize conventional notions of support and symmetry.