Pair of candlesticks 1772 - 1773

These neoclassical silver candlesticks were made by Samuel Littlewood, who was born in London in 1772. These objects offer a glimpse into the rituals of domestic life and class distinctions. Candlesticks like these weren't merely functional; they were symbols of wealth and taste. Silverware reflected the social status and cultural values of the families who owned them. The candlesticks’ design, with its fluted columns, is inspired by the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. This choice speaks to the fashion for neoclassicism, an aesthetic embraced by the elite because it evoked ideas of civic virtue and stability. Reflect on how everyday objects can be powerful indicators of cultural identity and social aspirations. What stories do they tell us about the people who made and used them, and what values did they cherish?