Candlestick
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Pewter
Dimensions
H. 22 in. (55.9 cm); W. (at base) 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); W. (central dish) 6 1/2 in. (16.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork
Culture & Period
China · late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing (1644–1911) dynasty
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, in honor of Jean Schmitt, 1981
Accession Number
1981.242.1
Art Historical Context
This elegant pewter candlestick, standing an impressive 22 inches tall, hails from 17th-century China during late Ming (1368–1644) or early Qing (164–1911) dynasty Crafted by an unknown artisan, its sturdy base (6⅛ inches wide) and central dish (6½ inches across) suggest practical design for holding candles in domestic or ceremonial settings. Pewter, an affordable alloy primarily of tin, was prized in China for its malleability and subtle sheen, allowing skilled metalworkers to create functional objects with refined proportions. Straddling the Ming-Qing transition—a time of political upheaval...