Pair of Candlesticks 1734 - 1735

Editor: These are a Pair of Candlesticks, by Paul de Lamerie. They look like solid silver. I find their symmetry strangely satisfying. What can you tell me about them? Curator: They are indeed silver. Consider the historical context: silver, and thus light, was a luxury accessible primarily to the elite. De Lamerie was a master silversmith catering to the powerful. These candlesticks reflect and reinforce social hierarchies. How might we view such objects today? Editor: So, they represent more than just decoration. They're symbols of power. I hadn’t considered that! Curator: Exactly. Examining the art through a lens of social power dynamics opens up fascinating interpretations.