Candlestick 1824 - 1825

These candlesticks were made of silver, likely in England, by the workshop of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell. Silver is a precious material, of course, and implies a wealthy patron. But it is also a wonderfully responsive medium, which can be cast, chased, engraved, and polished to a brilliant finish. Looking closely, we can see evidence of all these processes. The floral ornament at the top and bottom of the candlesticks, for instance, was likely cast in multiple parts, then carefully assembled. The surfaces have been expertly finished to catch the light, giving the objects a lively, shimmering quality. These candlesticks reflect a moment when handcraft was becoming increasingly intertwined with industrial production. Workshops like Rundell, Bridge & Rundell employed large numbers of artisans, but also relied on division of labor and mechanization to meet the demands of a growing market. So, while these objects may appear to be purely handmade, they are in fact products of a complex social and economic system. This makes them all the more fascinating to consider.