Kandelaar van zilver met zeskantige voet en stam en met vetvanger in vorm van gelobd blad. Op voet gegraveerde wapen Rotterdam 1772

Curator: Let's turn our attention to this exquisitely crafted silver candlestick, created in 1772 by Rudolphus Sondagh. Note the hexagonal base and the lobed drip pan – the craftsmanship is remarkable. Editor: The reflective surface of the silver makes it almost ethereal. It gives off an antique mood, yet somehow also feels sturdy and reliable. It reflects so much. I wonder whose stories it held while standing guard. Curator: Its baroque influence is quite evident in the intricate detailing of the stem. The way the light catches the engraved coat of arms of Rotterdam on the base is masterful. It directs your gaze upwards. Editor: A symbol of civic power perhaps? Think of the implications – this would have illuminated spaces of importance, shaping how its commissioners understood and conveyed status within their communities. How did light function socially? Curator: Precisely. Observe how Sondagh plays with verticality, balancing the weight of the base with the delicate curves of the stem. There’s a refined elegance in its proportions. The craftsmanship enhances function with decorative technique. Editor: It feels almost like a conversation piece between faith, power, and gender, hinting at complex narratives about identity, representation and class that can be seen as subtle or obvious. How did those owning a piece like this think about such themes? Curator: An intriguing perspective. I'm drawn to its clean, yet embellished form, to its materiality and texture, particularly in relation to its composition. Its details have an elegance achieved by careful crafting. It is undeniably beautiful. Editor: Yes, beautiful but also useful to us as an object through which we might interrogate how people made meaning and identity visible centuries ago. Curator: Reflecting on the aesthetic elegance, its construction, composition, and materiality, I value this candlestick all the more. Editor: For me, this piece highlights how objects can operate as powerful historical agents through which we can now view and interpret stories, especially untold stories.