Kandelaar, vijfdelig c. 1590 - 1596

This five-part candlestick was made from pewter by an anonymous maker. Pewter is an alloy, mostly tin, with a bit of lead and other metals mixed in. It melts at a relatively low temperature and is easy to cast in a mold. The candlestick's design, with its bulbous stem and wide base, probably began with a wooden model, from which a mold was made. Once the pewter was cast and cooled, the object would be removed from the mold and any rough edges filed away. Finally, decorative details were added, likely using hand tools, and polished. Pewter was a popular material for household objects because it was cheaper than silver but still had a nice luster. It was also relatively easy to work with, so many small workshops produced pewterware. This candlestick is a reminder of the skilled labor and material ingenuity that went into creating even everyday objects, blurring the lines between craft and industry.