Wall-Light (bras de lumière) c. 1740 - 1745

This gilded 'Wall-Light (bras de lumière)' by an anonymous artist invites us to consider the interplay of light, status, and identity. Pieces like this were designed not just for illumination but to assert wealth and taste. The intricate detailing and use of gold leaf reflects a society deeply stratified by class, where even the provision of light became an emblem of privilege. Consider the hands that crafted this object, likely artisans whose names history has chosen to forget, each leaf and curve shaped by unseen labour. How did these artisans reconcile their own identities and experiences with the creation of objects intended to celebrate the elite? These wall lights prompt us to reflect on the stories we tell through the objects we create and consume, and the values we choose to illuminate.