Candle Holder

Designer : Studio Job (Smeets)

The Candle Holder was originally designed in 2003 and forms part of the Still Life collection by Job Smeets. The object has lived within the oeuvre of Studio Job for many years and therefore occupies a special place in the studio’s body of work. According to Job, it is a highly iconic design that has appeared in various materials and forms over time, including resin, bronze and corten steel. The object touches on themes such as religion, ritual and an almost sacred experience. The candlestick represents light and warmth, but also the atmosphere and symbolism associated with candlelight. Within the work of Studio Job there has long been a relationship with traditional craftsmanship and ceramics, among others through the collaboration with Royal Tichelaar Makkum. Objects such as Still Life and Biscuits from 2008 also fit within the same fascination with craftsmanship, ornament and meaningful objects.

For Matera, the Candle Holder receives a new translation: the design is executed in marble. Job has worked with marble on several occasions in the past and sees it as a material that can give a design a completely different character each time. The material influences not only the surface, but also the expression, scale and presence of an object. The form of the original model was developed by the studio itself. Much of the work within Studio Job takes place in the studio’s own workshop: from sketch to modelling in wax, and from bronze, steel and forged work to woodworking. The studio has a broad artisanal infrastructure and even includes its own illustration department. A design usually begins with a drawing and is then further developed together with the team.

For Matera, the exclusive Statuario marble from Carrara was chosen, a type of stone that is inseparably connected to extraordinary marble traditions. This marble is known for its exceptional quality and has been used throughout the centuries for some of the most iconic sculptures in art history, including works by Michelangelo. This rich context adds an additional layer of meaning to the Candle Holder in marble. For Job, the collaboration with Matera is also special because the brand focuses on objects in which the identity of the maker is central. Rather than creating anonymous design products, Matera emphasizes authorship and the personal signature of the artist. This approach closely aligns with the way Studio Job works, where designs are not merely functional objects but also carriers of stories, symbolism and a distinct artistic identity.

Materials : Statuario with light vains - Polished
Dimensions : 13 × 26 × 21 cm / 5.12 × 10.24 × 8.27 in