Set of four candlesticks 1745 - 1746

Editor: Here we have a set of four silver candlesticks crafted by Paul de Lamerie between 1745 and 1746. They strike me as incredibly opulent, almost imposing, but also clearly signaling a certain social status. How do you interpret their significance? Curator: These aren't merely decorative objects; they are powerful signifiers of wealth and social standing within the complex social fabric of the 18th century. The Baroque style, the intricate detailing, the material itself, all speak to privilege. Consider the labor and resources required to produce these – what does that tell us about the society that valued them? Who benefitted from their creation? Editor: That’s a good point about the labour. I was focusing on the owner, but yes, someone had to make them! Do the images embedded in the design point to something, too? Curator: Precisely. Look closely at the motifs, those classical figures and ornamentation. How do they reinforce or perhaps subvert the dominant narratives of power? Are there echoes of colonial exploitation in the source of the silver, or perhaps in the patronage that fueled Lamerie’s workshop? Think about how gender roles might be embedded in the imagery and usage of these candlesticks. Editor: So it is less about beauty and more about power relations being displayed. Curator: Exactly. By examining the object through a critical lens, we can expose the subtle ways in which art reinforces or challenges societal norms. Who had access to light? How was that controlled? What stories did candlelight illuminate, and whose stories remained in the shadows? Editor: This makes me look at something like candlesticks completely differently, not just ornaments but a part of a social and political puzzle. Curator: It's about interrogating the visual language of power and privilege. I find that more valuable than just appreciating them at face value.