candelabras

Candelabras are multi-armed candle holders designed to hold several candles at once. They are typically free-standing or wall-mounted and range from simple, functional forms to highly ornate pieces. Most have a central stem with arms that curve or branch outward, each ending in a candle socket. Materials include brass, bronze, silver, pewter, glass, and ceramic, often with gilding or patination.

Designs vary for domestic, ceremonial, and architectural use. Table and floor models provide multiple light sources on a single base; wall-mounted versions serve as decorative or altarpiece elements. Religious associations include the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum used in Jewish worship, and the hanukkiah, a nine-branched form used during Hanukkah. Secular pieces frequently feature botanical, neoclassical, or baroque motifs.

Historically, metal candelabra appear in ancient Mediterranean and Near Eastern cultures, with Etruscan, Greek, and Roman examples in bronze. In medieval and early modern Europe, gilded and silvered candelabra were prized as liturgical and courtly objects. The advent of electric lighting in the late 19th century created new designs and ways to integrate candlesticks with electrical illumination.

Today, candelabras remain in use for formal dining, religious ceremonies, and decorative display, and they are collected as antiques. Care involves gentle cleaning and avoiding harsh cleaners on metals, with silver pieces requiring appropriate polishing. When used with candles, ensure a stable base and suitable candle size to prevent tipping or wax spills.