Quillwork Sconce 1720 - 1740

"Quillwork Sconce" is a 18th-century artwork by Ruth Read. Created between 1720 and 1740, the piece is a testament to the intricate art of quillwork, a technique where quills are meticulously arranged to create intricate designs. The sconce, a wall-mounted candle holder, features a beautiful array of floral patterns, birds, and shells, all painstakingly fashioned from quills. The piece, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, showcases the meticulous detail and artistic finesse of quillwork, a forgotten craft that once flourished in the 18th century.