Candlestick
1760–70
Medium
Opaque glass with enamel decoration
Dimensions
9 5/16 × 4 11/16 × 4 11/16 in. (23.7 × 11.9 × 11.9 cm)
Classification
Candlestick
Culture
British
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1951
Accession Number
52.77.39a, b
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant candlestick, crafted by British glassmaker Michael Edkins 1760 and 1770, exemplifies the refined artistry of mid-18th-century opaque glass production. Standing at just over 9 inches tall with a square base measuring nearly 4¾ inches across, it was designed for tabletop illumination, blending functionality with decorative appeal. The opaque glass—often likened to milky porcelain—provided a smooth, luminous canvas, while vibrant enamel decorations, likely featuring floral motifs as suggested by its tags, added colorful, durable embellishments fired directly onto the surface. Edkins...