Quillwork Sconce 1720 - 1740

This is an undated quillwork sconce by Ruth Read. We know little about Read, yet the intimate, domestic nature of the piece provides a glimpse into the lives of women in the 18th and 19th centuries. Quillwork, or paper filigree, involved rolling thin strips of paper into delicate shapes, and was a popular pastime among women of the leisure class. It offered a creative outlet and a means of self-expression, albeit within the confines of societal expectations of femininity. While seemingly decorative, quillwork allowed women to assert their identities through intricate designs and demonstrate resourcefulness, using readily available materials like paper and glue to craft ornate objects. The floral motif in Read's sconce symbolizes beauty and domesticity, reflecting the roles often assigned to women in society. Yet the precision required for quillwork also challenged the notion of women as merely ornamental, revealing a capacity for skill and artistry. In its own way, this sconce represents a complex negotiation between societal expectations and individual agency, a silent testament to the lives and creativity of women like Ruth Read.