Object Number 1967.1849

Object Name

Sconce

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont

Place of Origin

United States, North America

Date

1800-1840

Materials

Tinned sheet iron

Dimensions (inches)

24 (H) , 7 (D) , 22.874 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

60.96 (H) , 17.78 (D) , 58.1 (Diam)

Object Description

Web - 05/30/2014

This wall sconce has a dull bluish grey color, but when it was new the surface was a bright, shiny, silver color from the reflective tin coating. It was constructed from four separate pieces of tinned sheet iron that are lapped together, creating a cross in the center. In addition to their appealing decorative pattern, the incised line decorations radiating around the center circle and the edge mimic contemporary, much more expensive mirrored glass wall sconces. This less costly tinned iron version serve the same purpose: to reflect and amplify candle light. The low-relief circular bosses of alternating size added to its reflective properties. The round candle cup at the bottom held only one candle, but the backplate maximized that candle’s illumination. This sconce is relatively large in comparison to wall sconces of its era. Sconces on this scale were more typicaly inside churches, theaters, or other public meeting places.