Kandelaar, vierdelig c. 1590 - 1596

This candlestick was made anonymously, likely in Europe, out of pewter. The material itself gives the object its character. Pewter is an alloy, mostly tin, that has a soft, muted sheen. The four-part construction highlights the production processes involved, probably casting in separate molds before assembly. The form is fairly simple, but the candlestick’s surface speaks to a longer story, of polishing, use, and ultimately degradation. The combination of design and decay gives it a unique appeal, a record of human touch. Everyday objects like this one rarely survive, let alone make it into museum collections. Their survival reminds us that aesthetic decisions are everywhere, not just in works of fine art, and that labor, consumption and taste are deeply intertwined.