Candelabra
Unknown Artist
15th–16th century
Medium
Iron
Dimensions
Overall: 55 1/2 x 24 3/4 x 23 3/4 in. (141 x 62.9 x 60.3 cm)
Classification
Metalwork-Iron
Culture
European
Department
The Cloisters
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
The Cloisters Collection, 1955
Accession Number
55.61.66
Art Historical Context
This imposing iron candelabra, forged by an unknown European artisan during the 15th or 16th century, stands as a testament to medieval blacksmithing prowess. Measuring an impressive 55½ inches tall and nearly two feet wide, its robust form was designed to hold multiple candles, casting a warm glow in grand spaces like churches, castles, or wealthy households before electricity illuminated the world. Crafted from durable iron—a material prized for its strength and malleability—this piece exemplifies the era's metalworking techniques. Artisans hammered and shaped the metal over forges, creatin...