Candelabrum (Candlestick)

Description

When this candelabrum and its mate were acquired by Winterthur Museum, they were accompanied by a notarized document stating: “I hereby certify that this pair of Silver-Plated Old English Three-light Candelabra . . . belonged to Dolley P. Madison and was used by her while Mistress of the White House.” The statement was signed by Mary Causten Kunkel, the daughter of Dolley Madison’s niece Anna Kunkel. Dolley Todd Madison’s renown as an enlightened hostess imbues this pair of augmented candlesticks with larger historic interest. For example, did they light the President’s dining table? Whether the three light “branch” extensions were original to the candlestick bases or added when in use at the White House or Madison’s home Montpelier is not known. It is notable that the women in her family retained such silverplated lighting as heirlooms to help recall Dolley’s legacy as an influential first lady.