Candlestick and Rushlight Holder 1750 - 1850

Editor: Here we have an anonymous sculpture, "Candlestick and Rushlight Holder," likely dating from 1750 to 1850, now residing at the Art Institute of Chicago. The object looks surprisingly modern in its stark, functional form; what stories do you think it holds? Curator: I see in this object a yearning for light, not just physical, but also symbolic. Think of the rushlight itself – a fragile, quickly consumed source of illumination, elevated and offered by this metal stand. It speaks of a time where light was precious, wasn't it? Where did one place one's values, and the hopes for a better existence? Editor: That's a beautiful way to frame it! The rushlight, so small, representing a larger hope. But why both a rushlight and candle holder? Curator: The combination tells us about resourcefulness, doesn't it? Candles were a luxury, while rushlights were made from readily available materials. The holder embodies both aspiration and pragmatism. It is a record of daily life, where necessity meets invention. Editor: So, it's a functional object, but also tells us something deeper about the values and daily life of the time. I hadn't considered that so clearly before. Curator: Indeed. Do you find a contrast between the roughness of the material and the aspirations associated with light? Is it resolved or accentuated? The visual textures themselves can evoke certain tactile and emotional experiences. Editor: I think the contrast accentuates it. The humble material elevates the idea of hope and light. I find myself looking at it in a different way. Curator: Precisely, it’s a testament to the power of objects to carry the weight of cultural memory. Editor: Thank you for opening my eyes to that!