Torchères

Creator

Colnik, Cyril, 1871-1958

Date

• 1893-1955

Summary

• Pair of wrought iron torchères, Cyril Colnik, Milwaukee, late nineteenth or early twentieth century. Two wrought iron torchères or candlestands with curvilinear tripod bases, baluster-shaped central pillars and crown-shaped tops.
• Trained in Vienna and Munich, master metalworker Cyril Colnik settled in Milwaukee in 1893, where he created decorative wrought iron work for dozens of homes and public buildings until his retirement in 1955. He also designed vases, candlesticks, door hardware, and other ornamental wares in a variety of styles. The Villa Terrace holds more than 200 examples of Colnik's work donated by daughter Gretchen Colnik in 1991 and an archive of Colnik's original drawings, blueprints and photographs.