Pair of Candelabra Depicting Allegorical Figures of Liberty and Matrimony
Medium
soft-paste porcelain
Dimensions
part 1: 31.1 × 25.7 × 15.6 cm · part 2: 32.4 × 25.6 × 14.2 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Decorative Art and Design
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of Mary Warden Harkness
Accession Number
1917.627
Tags
gender unknown
About this artwork
This pair of allegorical figures depicts the attributes of solitude and marriage as a shepherd and shepherdess adorned in richly patterned designs. Here “Liberty” (the shepherd), is accompanied by a dog and a bird that perches on his outstretched arm. In contrast “Matrimony” (the shepherdess) holds a birdcage in one hand and subtly directs the viewer’s gaze toward the sheep resting nearby with the other.