Design for Church Lights or Standards 1875 - 1885

This is a design for church lights, or standards, made by Richardson Ellson & Co. on a simple sheet of paper. The drawing shows designs for two- and three-light candle holders and was probably made in England during the early 19th century, when older medieval churches were being refitted in line with contemporary taste. The visual codes are interesting: we see a revival of classical forms such as acanthus leaves that were popular in ancient Greece and Rome, along with Gothic pointed arches and floral motifs. The architectural layout of Anglican and Catholic churches would have been very different and this would have been a key factor in the design of church furniture such as candle standards. Church records, local histories, and architectural studies are invaluable in reconstructing the social and institutional context of works like this one. Once we know more about the specific church for which these designs were made, we can better understand its place in the community.