Candlestick with octagonal base (one of a pair) 1750 - 1765

Editor: This is a pair of Rococo candlesticks crafted by Georg Schaffer between 1750 and 1765, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They're made from silver and metal. I’m really struck by how delicate and almost fragile they appear. What do you see in these objects? Curator: What strikes me is how these seemingly innocuous objects reflect a complex interplay of power and luxury during the Rococo period. Consider the materials: silver, a clear signifier of wealth. Who had access to such extravagance, and who didn’t? How does this display of wealth contrast with the emerging social and political tensions of the mid-18th century? Editor: So, it's more than just decoration; it’s a symbol? Curator: Exactly. The Rococo style itself, with its emphasis on ornamentation and asymmetry, was favored by the aristocracy. These candlesticks, therefore, speak volumes about the societal structures and inequalities of the time. What sort of narratives are being intentionally obscured or reinforced through such displays? Consider that these would be illuminating elite domestic spaces. What stories do the shadows tell, quite literally? Editor: I never thought about it that way, it's fascinating to consider their symbolism within the larger societal framework of the time, rather than just aesthetic beauty. Curator: Absolutely, art, even seemingly decorative objects, are rarely neutral. Analyzing them through the lenses of class, power, and gender can reveal so much more. By examining such artifacts, we are able to unearth critical discussions and engage in broader narratives. Editor: It really gives me a lot to think about in approaching these pieces in the future, particularly thinking of wealth and power dynamics. Curator: Indeed. Now, perhaps, we can reflect on how the meaning and cultural significance might shift, were these crafted by someone not associated with established metal-working communities?