Five Candlesticks

Rude Osolnik, Five Candlesticks, 1988, mascassar ebony, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.44A-E
Copied Rude Osolnik, Five Candlesticks, 1988, mascassar ebony, 6 1⁄4 — 14 1⁄4 in. x 2 3⁄8 in. diam. (36.2 x 6.1 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995−−2003), 2003.60.44A-E

Artwork Details

Title
Five Candlesticks
Artist
Date
1988
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
6 1⁄4 — 14 1⁄4 in. x 2 3⁄8 in. diam. (36.2 x 6.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995−−2003)
Mediums
Mediums Description
mascassar ebony
Classifications
Object Number
2003.60.44A-E
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2003.60.44A-E

Artwork Description

Rude Osolnik's candlesticks were his trademark production pieces. He created more than one hundred and fifty thousand during the 1950s and 1960s for various department stores. Their simple, elegant silhouettes are perfectly balanced and flow with the gentle grain of the dark macassar ebony. Osolnik didn't switch his lathe off between pieces, preferring not to waste time, and he perfected his production of candlesticks to such a point that he could produce forty before breakfast.