Set of four candlesticks 1741 - 1742

Curator: Here we have a set of four silver candlesticks, created by George Wickes between 1741 and 1742. Their Baroque style is quite striking. Editor: My first impression is one of opulent fragility. The detailed floral work suggests delicacy, but the metal gives it strength. I can already imagine their original context, illuminating a room as status symbols. Curator: Precisely. Wickes, later a goldsmith to the Prince of Wales, employed the silver medium as both sculpture and decorative art, deftly walking the line between the two. The intricate detailing indicates the labor-intensive process involved, think of the mold making, the casting, the chasing… Editor: All crafted, let's not forget, within a rigid hierarchy of labour and consumption. Who was producing this elaborate display of wealth? Whose labor made such displays of power possible? Curator: A valid point. Examining the materiality, we see how the malleability of silver allowed for these florid, organic forms typical of the Baroque, moving away from simpler designs, it reflects not just utility but also elaborate, almost performative, craft. Editor: These aren't simply light sources, they were powerful cultural objects! Candlesticks like these illuminate not only the spaces they occupied, but also the societal structures that made them commonplace in elite settings. The performative element isn’t just about craftsmanship, but also about class and social aspiration. Curator: Definitely. These pieces also tell a story of changing tastes and increasing demand for luxury goods, showcasing a shift towards elaborate displays of wealth among the elite. The candlesticks were also investments to their wealthy owners, serving an intrinsic role in an established social practice. Editor: Exactly. Reflecting on these ornate candlesticks, I'm struck by the contrast between their luminous beauty and the complex socioeconomic realities they represent. Curator: I agree; they prompt reflection on our own consumption and what sort of statement those choices make within an increasingly globalized economy.