Pedestal and Candelabrum
Maker
Maker unknown
(American, possibly Philadelphia)
Maker
Maker unknown
(French)
Date1825-1835
MediumMahogany, rosewood, yellow-poplar, gilding, paint; candelabrum: Gilt and patinated brass
DimensionsOverall: 76 3/4 x 16 1/2 x 14 3/8in. (194.9 x 41.9 x 36.5cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number60.58
DescriptionBlack pencil work on the gilt stencil ornamentOn View
On viewCollections
Copyright<a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="https://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc/4.0/80x15.png" /></a><br />This work is licensed under a <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License</a>.
Label TextPedestals were used in ancient Greece and Rome to support vases and figures. In stylish European rooms during and after the Renaissance, pedestals became increasingly visible; they typically held clocks, busts, vases of flowers, and cases for eating implements. By the early nineteenth century, pedestals holding lighting devices were fairly commonplace in fashionable Continental and English houses, but that use remained rare in American interiors until after mid-century.
This example, probably one of a pair originally, is in the classical style, making it consistent with the few other documented pedestals of the same date. Features that descend from ancient designs include the triangular base with stenciled decoration, carved acanthus leaf borders, reeded column, and carved palmettes with painted highlights.
