Pair of candlesticks 1745 - 1755

Curator: Here we have a "Pair of Candlesticks," crafted between 1745 and 1755, currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. These shining examples of Rococo artistry are fashioned from silver, showcasing intricate sculptural detailing. Editor: Oh, aren't they pretty? They look like something out of a fairytale feast. Regal, a little bit romantic… makes me want to light a bunch of candles and tell stories. Curator: Indeed! Consider how these candlesticks weren’t merely functional, but rather potent signifiers of status, entwined with the performance of elite identity in the 18th century. The Rococo style, with its emphasis on asymmetry, elegance, and decorative excess, served as a visual language of aristocratic power and taste. Editor: You’re so right. Thinking about who might have owned these… they probably presided over some pretty intense dinners, full of powdered wigs and whispered secrets. They’re like silent witnesses to history. Curator: Exactly. And let’s think about the labor embedded within these objects. The extraction of silver, the skilled craftsmanship involved in the repoussé work…these were products of complex social and economic relations, reflective of power structures inherent in colonial expansion and trade. Editor: It's easy to just see the shininess, but yeah, each curve and flourish probably represents hours of work, of someone's actual life. They feel a bit different knowing that now, a little heavier. Almost like they’re holding more than just candles. Curator: Precisely! Engaging with these objects beyond their aesthetic allure involves questioning their origins, acknowledging the exploitation woven into their creation, and recognizing the narratives of those whose labor often remains invisible. Editor: Well, next time I see something sparkly, I’m going to try and remember to look a little deeper. To see past the glitter. Curator: An important reflection, bringing to light the multilayered narratives and complicated histories contained within these exquisitely crafted forms.