Candelabrum (one of a pair) 18th century

This porcelain candelabrum was crafted at the Chelsea Porcelain Manufactory, sometime between 1744 and 1784. At its heart, a cherubic figure, adorned with a garland of flowers, holds aloft two candleholders. The cherub, a motif echoing from antiquity through the Renaissance, often symbolizes divine love. Yet, here, its playful, almost mischievous expression invites a more earthly interpretation. The flowers, symbols of fleeting beauty, remind us of the transience of life. Recall Botticelli’s "Primavera," where Flora scatters blossoms, embodying renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence. Notice how the cherub's gesture, extending one hand, evokes a sense of invitation, a common pose in religious art meant to draw the viewer into a deeper contemplation. In essence, the candelabrum isn't merely a source of light, but a vessel of cultural memory, reflecting our enduring fascination with love, beauty, and the passage of time.