Ontwerp voor kandelaar met twee putti c. 1864 - 1894

Here we have a design for a candlestick with two putti created by Henri Cameré using graphite on paper. This sketch gives us insight into the world of decorative arts, where symbolism and luxury often intertwined with social status. Cameré’s design probably catered to an elite clientele, where an object like a candlestick transcends its functional purpose. Instead, it turns into a display of wealth, taste, and cultural capital. The use of putti, cherubic figures common in Renaissance and Baroque art, speaks to themes of innocence, love, and divinity. What does it mean to incorporate such symbolism into everyday objects? Do these motifs reinforce societal ideals of purity and virtue? Or do they invite a more complex reflection on the relationship between the sacred and the secular? This sketch serves as a reminder that even seemingly simple designs carry layers of meaning and reflect the values of their time.