Flambouwkandelaar, vijfdelig c. 1590 - 1596

This tin five-part candlestick, or Flambouwkandelaar, was made by an anonymous maker, and now resides in the collection of the Rijksmuseum. The production of metalwork such as this was deeply embedded in the social and economic fabric of its time. Guilds regulated craftsmanship, ensuring standards of quality but also controlling who could participate in the trade. The candlestick’s design reflects both functional needs and prevailing tastes in domestic objects. The absence of a known artist underscores a critical point: much of the art from the past was produced by individuals whose names have been lost to history. These anonymous artisans were crucial in shaping visual culture. To understand the social life of objects like this, historians consult guild records, trade inventories, and other archival sources. These provide insight into the economic conditions of their production and the cultural values they embodied.