Candlestick
Unknown Artist
1700–1730
Medium
Iron
Dimensions
H. 22 in. (55.9 cm)
Classification
Candlestick
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Robert W. de Forest, 1933
Accession Number
34.100.198
Art Historical Context
This elegant iron candlestick, crafted in America between 1700 and1730, stands as a testament to the skilled blacksmiths of the colonial era. Measuring 22 inches tall, it was designed for practical use in households lacking modern lighting, holding candles to illuminate homes during long evenings. Forged from durable iron—a material abundant and versatile in the New World—this piece exemplifies early American metalworking techniques, where heat, hammer, and anvil transformed raw ore into essential domestic objects. In the context of colonial life, such candlesticks were indispensable, reflect...