Chloe Adams
A candelabrum (plural candelabra) is a candle holder with multiple arms. The term has been used to describe a variety of candle holders, including chandeliers. Candelabra can be distinguished as branched candle holders that are placed on a surface such as the floor, stand, or tabletop. The Roman candelabra used in public buildings could be of significant size, with bulky supports in stone or marble. They consisted of a base, a shaft, and a large cup or basin at the top. In the 18th century, portable candelabra became more popular than sconces fixed onto the wall. Two-branched candelabra were the most common, and some designs allowed the branches to be detached, leaving a single-armed candlestick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Candelabra (plural candelabras) |
| Description | A candle holder with multiple arms |
| Placement | Floor, stand, tabletop, fireplace mantel, table, guéridon, torchère |
| Use | Ornamental lighting |
| Materials | Wood, bronze, brass, silver, German silver, gold gilding |
| Design | Branches, chandeliers, lustres, girandoles, wall-lights |
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What You'll Learn
- Candelabra: branched candle holders placed on a surface, such as the floor
- Menorah: a seven-armed candelabrum, a symbol of Judaism
- Chandeliers: a form of candelabra hung from the ceiling
- Girandoles: a type of candelabra with crystals, popular in 17th-century France
- Votive candle stands: often used in churches, these stands hold votive candles
Candelabra: branched candle holders placed on a surface, such as the floor
Candelabra are decorative, branched candle holders that are placed on a surface, such as a floor, stand, or tabletop. The term 'candelabrum' (plural candelabra) comes from the Latin word for 'candle-tree'. Before the invention of electricity, candelabra were a common way to provide light for reading or writing. They have numerous branches or arms that extend out, giving them a loose, tree-like appearance.
Candelabra can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, bronze, silver, and brass. They are often ornate, featuring gold gilding, and have been used throughout history in a variety of settings, including religious ceremonies and home decor. In the Roman period, for example, candelabra were used in public buildings and had bulky supports made of stone or marble. They were also used in domestic settings, with simpler, tall, slender designs.
In Judaism, the menorah and hanukkiah are special kinds of candelabra. The menorah, a seven-armed candelabrum mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, has become a symbol of Judaism and an Emblem of Israel. Candelabra are also used in Christian churches, particularly in Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church liturgy, such as the dikirion and trikirion.
By the 17th century in France, candelabra were defined as having several branches, and they could be placed on a variety of surfaces, including tabletops, fireplace mantels, and, if large, the floor. In England in the early 18th century, the term candelabra were used interchangeably with other terms like 'branches' and 'chandeliers'. By the 19th century, silver candelabra with multiple branches were often used as centrepieces on dinner tables.
Today, with electricity widely available, candelabra have largely become decorative items, used to accent interior spaces and provide ambient lighting. They are popular choices for weddings and other special events, where they can add a touch of elegance and romance to the decor.
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Menorah: a seven-armed candelabrum, a symbol of Judaism
The menorah is a seven-armed candelabrum that has become a symbol of Judaism and an Emblem of Israel. The term "candelabrum" comes from the Latin word for "candle-tree," and these candle holders often feature multiple arms or branches that extend out, giving them a loose, tree-like appearance. The menorah is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, with instructions for its creation given to Moses. It is depicted in the Arch of Titus following the capture of Jerusalem.
The Romans used the term "candelabrum" to describe a form of ornamental lighting, which could be a tall stand supporting a lamp. Roman candelabra often had bulky supports made of stone or marble and consisted of a base, shaft, and upper part with features to carry lights. They were used in public buildings and could be of significant size. The term "candelabra" is now often used to refer to branched candle holders that are placed on a surface such as the floor, a stand, or a tabletop.
Candelabra have been used throughout history, with examples found in medieval Christian churches, as well as in the 17th and 18th centuries in France and England. In the 19th century, silver candelabra with multiple branches were commonly used on dinner tables as part of elaborate centerpieces. Today, candelabra are mostly used for decorative purposes, although they remain important in religious contexts, such as in the Eastern Orthodox Church and in Jewish and Christian ceremonies.
The menorah, as a symbol of Judaism, holds significant meaning and is often used in Jewish rituals and ceremonies. It represents the seven days of creation and is often lit during Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Each of the seven branches of the menorah holds a candle, with an additional candle used to light the other wicks. The menorah serves as a reminder of the miracle of the oil that lasted for eight days during the rededication of the Temple.
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Chandeliers: a form of candelabra hung from the ceiling
The term "candelabra" refers to a candle holder with multiple arms, often placed on a surface such as a floor, stand, or tabletop. The Latin word "candelabrum," meaning "candle-tree," is the root of the term. The candelabra's numerous arms or branches stretch out in all directions, giving it a loose, tree-like appearance.
Chandeliers are a type of candelabra that is hung from the ceiling. They are often used as decorative accents, providing eye-catching lighting fixtures. While the invention of electricity has made candelabra mostly obsolete from a practical standpoint, chandeliers remain popular for their aesthetic appeal.
The Romans used the term "candelabrum" to describe a form of ornamental lighting, which could be a tall stand supporting a lamp. Roman candelabra were often made of stone or marble and featured a triangular base, a carved shaft, and a large cup or basin at the top. They were used in public buildings and could be quite large.
Candelabra were also used in churches, especially in Italy, where they were influenced by Roman designs. They were used in liturgical services and religious ceremonies, often made of brass or silver. In Judaism, the menorah and hanukkiah are special types of candelabra with religious significance.
By the 17th century in France, candelabra were defined as having several branches, and they became popular decorative lighting fixtures in homes. In England during the 18th century, the term "candelabra" was used interchangeably with other terms like "branches," "chandeliers," and "lustre." By the 19th century, silver candelabra with multiple branches were commonly used on dinner tables as part of elaborate centerpieces.
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Girandoles: a type of candelabra with crystals, popular in 17th-century France
Girandoles are ornamental branched candle holders that consist of several lights and may be placed on a stand or mounted on a wall. The term 'girandole' was first used in the mid-17th century in France to refer to a type of candelabra, usually with six arms emerging from a central stem. These girandoles were ornate candelabras, often pyramidal in shape, and decorated with crystals and glass. They were a luxurious source of lighting in the great manors of 18th-century France. Girandoles were commonly made and used in pairs, with sconces, to light the middle section of rooms, below the chandeliers.
The name 'girandole' comes from the Italian word '
In the 18th century, the definition of girandole expanded to include large gilded decorative sconces or wall lights backed with mirrors. These girandoles with mirrors became fashionable in England in the second half of the 18th century, and a form of girandole backed with a round convex mirror was also popular in the United States in the early 19th century.
In modern times, the term girandole is used in jewellery design to refer to earrings with a large central stone and smaller stones attached.
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Votive candle stands: often used in churches, these stands hold votive candles
Votive candle stands are often used in churches to hold votive candles. These stands come in a variety of designs and sizes and can be made from different materials such as tubular steel, steel rod, bronze, brass, aluminum, or wrought iron. They can be free-standing or wall-mounted and typically hold multiple votive candles, with options for 3-day, 6-day, or 7-day candles, as well as larger sanctuary-style globes. The stands can also be customized to fit specific space requirements and can even be designed for grottos and other devotional areas.
In churches, votive candles are often lit as part of personal or family devotions, or during specific religious ceremonies and holy days. For example, in the Reformed tradition, votive candles are lit during Totensonntag, a day that commemorates the departed. In Lutheran churches, votive candles may be lit at home or in the church, typically on altar rails or in front of the altar cross. Similarly, in Anglican churches, votive candles are used for praying for the dead and requesting saintly intercession.
The use of votive candles and stands is also prevalent in Eastern Orthodox Churches, where long, thin candles are placed in round containers with sockets or in sand. These candles are lit before icons, usually of Jesus Christ or the Theotokos. Orthodox churches also have separate places for candles lit for the departed, a distinction not made in Lutheran, Anglican, and Roman Catholic churches.
Votive candle stands are not limited to Christian churches, as they can also be found in Jewish synagogues. For example, the menorah, a seven-armed candelabrum mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, is a symbol of Judaism and an Emblem of Israel. Candelabra, including the menorah, have been used in Jewish religious practices and have also influenced the design of candleholders in Christian churches.
Overall, votive candle stands serve as functional and decorative pieces in various religious traditions, providing a way to hold multiple votive candles for devotional and ceremonial purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
Big stands with candles are called candelabras.
A candelabrum (plural candelabra) is a candle holder with multiple arms. The term is derived from the Latin word for "candle-tree".
Candelabras can be made of materials such as wood, bronze, silver, glass, brass, or crystal.
Candelabras can be placed on the floor, a fireplace mantel, a table, a guéridon, or a torchère.
