Candlestick 1672

This candlestick was made by Peter Alberts out of silver, a material prized for its reflective beauty and malleability. Silver objects like this one are created through skilled processes of forming, casting, and chasing. The twisted stem and ornate base indicate the silversmith's mastery over the material, coaxing it into complex shapes through laborious hand-working. Silver's value has made it a popular medium for luxury goods that act as status symbols, demonstrating the owner's wealth and taste. The candlestick’s design and craftsmanship reflect the cultural values of its time. It represents the amount of work involved in producing luxury items, from mining the raw materials to the artisan's careful handiwork. Considering the labor and materials involved allows us to appreciate the candlestick not just as a functional object, but as a testament to human skill, social status, and the complex relationship between art, craft, and commerce.