Candlestick in the form of a female dozing figure (one of a pair) 1750 - 1760

This porcelain candlestick in the form of a dozing female figure was produced by the Saint James’s Factory in the mid-18th century. Notice how the figure's languid pose and the pastel hues create a sense of delicate beauty and fragility. The composition merges the decorative with the functional. Her dress, adorned with floral patterns, drapes elegantly around her, while a large, stylized flower springs from the figure's head, acting as the candle holder. The candlestick destabilizes conventional object categories by blending the human form with naturalistic and utilitarian elements. This reflects the Rococo period's taste for fanciful design, which aimed to transform everyday objects into ornate works of art. The dozing figure also invites us to contemplate the aesthetics of leisure and repose. Observe the intricate details of the porcelain, which elevate the candlestick beyond mere utility. The artist challenges traditional hierarchies between art and craft.