Candlestick (one of a pair) 1760

This candlestick is just one of a pair made by Jonas Thomasson Ronander, a Swedish silversmith in the 18th century. Sweden at the time was a society marked by strict social hierarchies, and sumptuary laws even regulated what different social classes could wear and own. With its elaborate, swirling forms, this candlestick reflects the opulence favored by the upper classes. Silver items like this would have been a clear sign of wealth and status. It suggests a life of refinement and leisure, but also an expression of power. In contrast, the rural poor lived very differently, often in simple wooden homes with minimal possessions. By studying objects like this alongside historical records, account books, and inventories, we can gain a clearer understanding of the vast disparities in wealth and the social structures of 18th century Sweden.