Altar Candlestick
Unknown Artist
17th century
Medium
Brass
Dimensions
H. 31.5 cm (excluding prickets).
Classification
Metalwork
Culture
South Netherlandish or German
Department
Robert Lehman Collection
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Robert Lehman Collection, 1975
Accession Number
1975.1.1449
Art Historical Context
This elegant brass altar candlestick,ailing from the 17th century attributed to a South Netherlandish or workshop, stands as a testament to the era's masterful metalworking traditions. Measuring 31.5 cm in (excluding its prickets, or candle spikes), it was designed for ecclesiastical use, illuminating sacred spaces during liturgical ceremonies. Such candlesticks were essential in churches, symbolizing divine light and enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of Baroque-era worship. Crafted from durable brass—a favored medium for its malleability and golden sheen— the piece exemplifies the intricate...