Girandoles
Isaac F. Baker
1848–51
Medium
Gilt bronze, marble, and glass
Dimensions
Max: H.: 45.1 cm (17 3/4 in.)
Classification
furniture accessory
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
136999
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Gilt girandoles adorned countless parlor mantelpieces and tables in mid-19th century American homes. These particular girandoles refer to James Fenimore Cooper’s Last of the Mohicans, which tells the tragic story of the Mohawks and their attempt to rescue a young white woman abducted by a renegade Huron. The central candelabra shows Chief Chingachgook seated on a log, next to Natty Bumppo, whom he raised to manhood. Behind them stands Chingachgook’s son, Unicas. These three, along with Major Dun...