Candlestick

Unknown Artist

1700–1730

Candlestick by Unknown Artist

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...

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