Rush and Candle Holder c. 1939

This rendering of a Rush and Candle Holder was made by Jack Staloff, who passed away in 1995. The drawing depicts an object formed from iron, a material deeply connected to labor. To make it, the smith would have heated the metal until glowing hot, then used hammers and tongs to shape each component: the circular base, the legs rising to support the twisted stem, the socket for the candle, and the pincer-like element for holding a rush, or oil-soaked reed. Each of these required skillful manipulation, and the mastery of basic blacksmithing techniques. The object has a rustic quality, but its design also reflects the increasing consumerism of the period. Although iron was being mass-produced by the late 19th century, hand-wrought items like this one maintained their value. This combination of utility, skilled labor, and the growing market economy gives this drawing its enduring significance. It reminds us of the artistry inherent in everyday objects.