Kandelaar van zilver met stam in de vorm van een gekronkelde boomstam met drie slingerende takken met ovale bladeren en kaarsenhouder in bloemkroon. 1784

This silver candle holder, crafted by Jan Kemaer, features a twisted trunk with three winding branches, leaves, and a flower-shaped candle holder. Considered a utilitarian object, the candlestick carries significant weight as an object deeply embedded in cultural practices and rituals across various societies. Historically, the presence of candles and their holders marked moments of ceremony and contemplation, often reflecting social class and spiritual beliefs. Silver, the material chosen for this piece, traditionally symbolized purity, clarity, and wealth. Kemaer’s choice to fashion this candlestick after a tree alters the object from a more traditional design. The organic form may offer a connection to nature, but also represents growth, family, and interconnectedness. How might an object as simple as a candlestick serve as a focal point for reflection, memory, and identity? How does it transform an ordinary space into a site of personal or communal meaning?