Two Candlesticks
1625–50
Classification
metalwork
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-2720
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
These enigmatic *Two Candlesticks*, from 1625–50, offer a glimpse into the early era of American craftsmanship. Crafted during a time when European settlers were establishing footholds in the New World—amid the founding of Jamestown and Plymouth—this metalwork piece reflects the practical needs of daily life. Lighting was essential in homes without electricity, and candlesticks these would have held beeswax or tallow candles, illuminating everything from humble hearths to more affluent interiors. Classified as metalwork, the candlesticks highlight the era's burgeoning artisanal traditions, li...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...