Pair of Kalo Shop Sterling Silver Arts & Crafts Decorated Tall Candlesticks, Chicago, Illinois - c. 1920's

This is a stunning pair of arts & crafts candlesticks. Their beauty is accentuated by their height and graceful curves. The top sections are formed as blossoming flowers with the attached bobeche resembling three petals.

Beautifully tapered, the stems of the candlesticks are decorated with lines traveling the length of the stem and downwards onto the circular bases, where the petal motif is repeated.

The incorporation of organic forms and inspiration taken from nature make these candlesticks quite remarkable. Their surfaces sparkle with wonderful hammering.

The Kalo Shop is known for its hammered surfaces and creative, forward looking arts & crafts designs. It was started by Clara Barck Welles who was 'known for her fair employment practices and for giving opportunities to women to become metalsmiths'.(1)

These rare candlesticks are marked underneath 'STERLING/ HAND WROUGHT/ AT/ THE KALO SHOP/ S402'. They measure 12 inches high and are in excellent condition.

Endnote:

1. Sharon S. Darling, Chicago Metalsmiths, (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1977), p. 48.