Candelabra

A candelabra is a standing candle holder, tall, made of metal, often painted and gilded, known since antiquity. In the 17th century, two-arm candlesticks (for two candles) were the most common, in the 18th century – three-arm candlesticks, and in the 19th century – multi-arm candlesticks. The candle as a source of light was widely used until the invention of the light bulb, that is until the 19th century, then its use was dictated by aesthetic values. Candles were already known in ancient times, their wicks were made of linen covered with beeswax; in the homes of the less wealthy inhabitants, animal fat was used instead of wax (tallow candles). The candelabra in question comes from the museum’s collection and is made of copper and brass, partly gilded. The cylindrical pedestal, on a square moulded base, is topped with a sphere. At the top and bottom, the pedestal is decorated with an ornament of stylised acanthus leaves. The post is artificially patinated copper, in the shape of a winged woman holding a bowl in both upraised hands, from which the arms of the candlestick extend. There are four S-shaped arms curved upwards, the fifth placed straight (centrally) on the axis of the candelabra. The arms are decorated with four gilded volutes at the bottom and round bobèches with cylindrical sleeves holding candles at the top. The sleeves and bobèches are decorated with stylised acanthus leaves.