Candelabrum

Description

As she did with so much of her metalwork, Chicago metalsmith Jessie M. Preston transformed this candelabrum into a dynamic, organic form. It represents one of Preston’s most successful and graceful Art Nouveau–influenced designs, taking inspiration from organic forms and fluid curves found in nature. Here, the center candle stem rests on a base adorned with flowing and swirling grasses, and it sprouts into four asymmetrical and curving branches that end in blooming morning glories.

Candelabrum

Jessie M. Preston

1902

Accession Number

181452

Medium

Bronze

Dimensions

49.9 × 34.3 × 33 cm (19 5/8 × 13 1/2 × 13 in.)

Classification

bronze

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by Celia and David C. Hilliard