Over the centuries, they were made in various sizes, styles and materials. These include the candlestick; a holder for a single candle and the candelabra; which has multiple arms to carry multiple candles. Originally they were designed for functional use: carrying a candle, carrying the light, but over the years candlesticks have become coveted collectibles.
Source image: Science Photo Library
Very first source – Today, it is obvious; at the touch of a button (or through a motion sensor), we have light. Our ancestors did not have it as easy with this and had to put effort into creating light. In prehistoric times, fire was the first source of light. Neanderthals used flint to make utensils such as arrowheads and axes, but they also used it to make fire; one strike with a piece of flint on pyrite or iron could result in a spark. Then people devised ways to carry fire with them such as torches and fire pits.
Source image: Gallo Romeins Museum, Tongeren
Status symbol – The word “candle” comes from the Latin word Charta and the English word “candle” refers to the Latin Candere meaning to shine. The ancient Egyptians dipped sticks in animal fat and the Romans are said to have later manufactured the candle using a rolled papyrus scroll and then dipped in beeswax. The main function of a candle was to light the house, but they were also used for religious ceremonies in honor of the Gods. Candlesticks (with one or more arms) from this period are quite scarce. However, we know the Roman oil lamp, a status symbol among wealthy Romans. The name says it all: the lamps were filled with animal or vegetable oil.
The “dark” Middle Ages – From this period (500-1500) many simple iron candle holders (also called candle lighters) have been found. They could stand on a (dining) table, hung on a wall and filled chandeliers the large (church) halls. Candles played an important role in the liturgy and were a regular feature on both every altar from the 11th century onward. Many light bearers from the Late Middle Ages are kept in museums or are present in the collection of an art dealer. Present in the collection of the Groninger Museum are beautiful, decorative ceramic candle holders, probably made in the 15th century.
Source image: Sotheby’s
The Enlightenment – During the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries we see many silver candelabras and wall consoles with candle holders being manufactured. This was due to the so-called “silver cities” that had their origins in many Flemish, French and German cities. The wealthy bourgeoisie bought in from silversmiths: all sorts of motifs and styles came into play such as the leaf motif, a female figure as a carrier and so the Rococo, Neoclassical and Empire styles were wildly popular.
Petrus van Schendel, Nachtmarkt (Sint-Jacobskerk), ca. 1855. Source image: MacConnal-Mason Gallery https://www.macconnal-mason.com/
Getty Images. Source image: The Standard
A turnaround – With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, there was a major turnaround; factories and markets were running at full capacity during the day and night and there was a great demand for street lighting. New fuels such as gas and petroleum made their appearance, opening up new possibilities. With the invention of the light bulb around 1870, for which reference is made to Thomas Edison (1847-1931), the candlestick became more of a decorative item.
New purpose – With the advent of electricity on a larger scale, and fire no longer a necessary source of illumination, the candelabra has found a new purpose, especially that of ambient lighting (this can be indoor and outdoor). They not only add light to a room, but also exude a timeless elegance. Do you have a classic or modern interior, a candelabra offers a stylish accent to your interior.
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Candleholders: bearers of light
Over the centuries, they were made in various sizes, styles and materials. These include the candlestick; a holder for a single candle and the candelabra; which has multiple arms to carry multiple candles. Originally they were designed for functional use: carrying a candle, carrying the light, but over the years candlesticks have become coveted collectibles.
Source image: Science Photo Library
Very first source – Today, it is obvious; at the touch of a button (or through a motion sensor), we have light. Our ancestors did not have it as easy with this and had to put effort into creating light. In prehistoric times, fire was the first source of light. Neanderthals used flint to make utensils such as arrowheads and axes, but they also used it to make fire; one strike with a piece of flint on pyrite or iron could result in a spark. Then people devised ways to carry fire with them such as torches and fire pits.
Source image: Gallo Romeins Museum, Tongeren
Status symbol – The word “candle” comes from the Latin word Charta and the English word “candle” refers to the Latin Candere meaning to shine. The ancient Egyptians dipped sticks in animal fat and the Romans are said to have later manufactured the candle using a rolled papyrus scroll and then dipped in beeswax. The main function of a candle was to light the house, but they were also used for religious ceremonies in honor of the Gods. Candlesticks (with one or more arms) from this period are quite scarce. However, we know the Roman oil lamp, a status symbol among wealthy Romans. The name says it all: the lamps were filled with animal or vegetable oil.
Source image: Brittannica, Palatine Chapel Aachen, Germany.
Source image: Groninger Museum, Groningen
The “dark” Middle Ages – From this period (500-1500) many simple iron candle holders (also called candle lighters) have been found. They could stand on a (dining) table, hung on a wall and filled chandeliers the large (church) halls. Candles played an important role in the liturgy and were a regular feature on both every altar from the 11th century onward. Many light bearers from the Late Middle Ages are kept in museums or are present in the collection of an art dealer. Present in the collection of the Groninger Museum are beautiful, decorative ceramic candle holders, probably made in the 15th century.
Source image: Sotheby’s
The Enlightenment – During the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries we see many silver candelabras and wall consoles with candle holders being manufactured. This was due to the so-called “silver cities” that had their origins in many Flemish, French and German cities. The wealthy bourgeoisie bought in from silversmiths: all sorts of motifs and styles came into play such as the leaf motif, a female figure as a carrier and so the Rococo, Neoclassical and Empire styles were wildly popular.
Petrus van Schendel, Nachtmarkt (Sint-Jacobskerk), ca. 1855. Source image: MacConnal-Mason Gallery https://www.macconnal-mason.com/
Getty Images. Source image: The Standard
A turnaround – With the advent of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, there was a major turnaround; factories and markets were running at full capacity during the day and night and there was a great demand for street lighting. New fuels such as gas and petroleum made their appearance, opening up new possibilities. With the invention of the light bulb around 1870, for which reference is made to Thomas Edison (1847-1931), the candlestick became more of a decorative item.
New purpose – With the advent of electricity on a larger scale, and fire no longer a necessary source of illumination, the candelabra has found a new purpose, especially that of ambient lighting (this can be indoor and outdoor). They not only add light to a room, but also exude a timeless elegance. Do you have a classic or modern interior, a candelabra offers a stylish accent to your interior.