Art in an Early Global World at WAM: A WAM/College of the Holy Cross CollaborationMain MenuAmanda Luyster17d39c1ecea88fb7ff282fe74a410b89478b8327Created by the Worcester Art Museum and the College of the Holy Cross, with the Worcester Public Schools AP Art History class of 2024. Financial support provided by the Medieval Academy of America and "Scholarship in Action" at Holy Cross.
When looking at this medieval candlestick, what is the first thing you notice? Is it the noblemen on horseback, carrying falcons, accompanied by their faithful attendants standing nearby? Falconry was a sport enjoyed by the elite across Asia and Europe, across religions and language barriers. Or maybe you first notice the intricate inscription of well-wishes carved around the base? Whatever it is that first catches your eye, it is these very details that made this candlestick such a luxurious commodity in Anatolia (today’s Turkey). Its features suggest a world of opulence, with calligraphic flora and fauna surrounding powerful horses, a scene of luxury enjoyed by a select few individuals. Looking at this beautiful candlestick, one imagines the riches of the medieval globe.
