Pair of miniature candlesticks 1685 - 1686

These miniature candlesticks were crafted in the late 17th or early 18th century by silversmith George Manjoy. Shaped like classical columns, these objects embody enduring symbols of strength and stability, echoing architectural forms that stretch back to ancient Greece and Rome. The column motif transcends mere structure. Think of the pillars in temples—symbols of divine presence. Consider also the columns framing royal portraits, which are meant to convey power and authority. The fluted design we see here draws the eye upwards, an aspiration towards enlightenment and higher states of being. Candlesticks themselves are not simply functional items. They are, perhaps subconsciously, a beacon of light in the darkness, embodying hope and guidance. The flame atop, fleeting yet constant, mirrors the human spirit—tenuous, yet resilient. It’s a visual language we’ve inherited, altered, and re-expressed across millennia. How we perceive and react to such symbols ties us to a shared, timeless human experience.