Pair of candlesticks
Unknown Artist
ca. 1770–80
Medium
Japanese lacquer, gilt-bronze
Dimensions
Height (each): 9 1/4 in. (23.5 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Gilt Bronze
Culture
French
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Jack and Belle Linsky Collection, 1982
Accession Number
1982.60.66, .67
Art Historical Context
These elegant pair of candlesticks, around 1770–80, exemplify the opulent fusion of Eastern and Western artistry in late 18th-century France. Standing at 9¼ inches tall, they feature exquisite Japanese lacquer—renowned for its glossy, durable finish achieved through layers of urushi sap—expertly mounted on gilt-bronze bases. shimmering gold-bronze, a hallmark of French ormolu metalwork, provides a luxurious contrast, elevating the imported lacquer into high-end European decorative objects. During the Louis XVI era, French artisans eagerly incorporated exotic materials like Japanese lacquer in...