Candlestick 19th century

This gilded candlestick was made by Elkington & Co., a British firm known for its innovative metalwork during the Victorian era. Its elaborate design, with ornate floral and animal motifs, evokes a romanticized view of nature, which was a dominant theme in Victorian art and design. Consider the rapid industrialization of 19th-century England and the anxieties it provoked. The firm responded to this shift with a vision of craftsmanship tied to pre-industrial aesthetics. The choice of gold, a material historically associated with wealth and power, underscores the candlestick's status as a luxury item intended for an elite clientele. Think about the use of light here, the flicker of candlelight against the gold surface, and the interplay between nature, wealth and the domestic sphere. It offers a glimpse into the values and aspirations of the time. It invites you to imagine its place in a Victorian home, illuminating the lives and social rituals of its owners.