Monumental mirror sconce (one of a pair)
Medium
Silver, embossed, chiseled, engraved and gilded; mirror glass (19th century replacement); wood frame
Dimensions
.2 confirmed: 39 1/2 × 26 3/4 × 14 1/2 in. (100.3 × 67.9 × 36.8 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Silver
Culture
German, Augsburg
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Acquisitions Fund, in memory of Anna-Maria Kellen, and in celebration of the Museum’s 150th Anniversary, 2018
Accession Number
2018.88.2
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This monumental silver mirror sconce one of a magnificent pair crafted in Augsburg, Germany, between 171 and 1718, exemplifies the opulent Baroque decorative arts of early 18th-century Europe Produced during a golden age for Augsburg silversmithing—a city famed for its guild-trained—the sconce would have adorned the grand interiors of palaces or wealthy residences, reflecting candlelight to amplify splendor and symmetry in lavish salons. Collaboratively made by Johann Jakob II Priester, Peter Rahm, and Paul Solanier, the piece showcases virtuoso metalwork techniques: embossing for raised motifs, chiseling and engraving for intricate details, and gilding for a radiant finish. Its substantial size—nearly 40 inches tall—and wooden frame underscore its role as both functional lighting (likely for candles) and sculptural statement. The mirror glass, a 19th-century replacement, highlights the sconce's enduring value. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2018 to celebrate its 150th anniversary, this Augsburg treasure captures the era's love for extravagance, blending craftsmanship with cultural prestige in European decorative arts.
About the Artist
Johann Jakob II Priester|Peter Rahm|Paul Solanier (German|German|German) · 1635 |1661 |1676 –1724 |1737 |1762
German, 1635–1724|German, 1661–1737|German, 1676–1762