Sconce
A candle sconce in leather and gold-leaf, a source of light and warmth.
The title of this design comes from ‘esconce’, an Old French term for “a lantern, usually wall mounted, with a mirrored back to reflect light".
This new piece is something of a departure from my work made in previous years. It seemed fitting to develop something more domestic, more familial, more rooted perhaps. I conceive of it as an invitation to pause and reflect during these most unusual of times.
The materials are simple; leather, gold, cotton, beeswax and iron. Gossamer-thin sheets of 24K gold-leaf are applied to the surface of the hide, creating a reflective plane which catches and defuses the light.
Each of the beeswax candles included have been hand-dipped around thirty times to slowly build up the necessary thickness. With each one lasting six to seven hours, the twelve candles - one for each month - will last a full year of daily use.
The nails are hand-forged, finished and rubbed with beeswax to protect from rust. They are connected by a simple magnet which allows the candle to be easily removed.
As this project was in development I came across a second meaning associated with the title. The original root is the Latin verb ‘absconder’ which means ‘to cover, to shelter, to enclose’. It seems that the notable attribute of the old French ‘esconce’ lamps was that they were enclosed, protected from the elements. It was only in later ages that the focus became the reflectivity, the luminance of the lanterns.
To protect and to reflect. Perhaps this dual meaning is why this project felt like the right one to pursue during these times; To shelter a flame, to nurture the light it offers and to reflect its warmth into the world.
The Sconce is available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Six are available in this initial release.
For a look behind the scenes during development
