Twaalfarmige zilveren kandelaar 1889

This twelve-armed candelabra was made of silver by an anonymous maker. Silver is a precious metal. The skill of a silversmith lies in their ability to manipulate it. Here, the maker likely melted the silver, cast some of the components, and then used hand tools to bring it to its final form. They would have employed techniques like hammering, chasing, and engraving to create the decorative details we see on the base. The arms themselves are elaborately curved, showing the silversmith’s mastery of the material. Consider too the social context of this piece. Silver objects like this were not just functional; they were symbols of wealth and status. The amount of labor involved in producing such an intricate object would have been considerable, with specialized skills honed over years of practice. Thinking about materials, making, and context helps us understand the full meaning of an artwork like this, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.