Design for a Candelabra

Art Historical Context

In the late 19th century, opulent interiors defined the Gilded Age, Heinrich Jauner's *Design for a Candelabra* (1877) captures the era's fascination with elaborate decorative arts. This graphite drawing, measuring 19 1/16 x 13 7/8 inches, served as a precise blueprint for a multi-branched candelabra—a fixture symbolizing luxury and illumination in grand homes, ballrooms, and ecclesiastical settings. Jauner's meticulous composition likely envisioned it crafted in metal like bronze or silver, blending functionality with ornate flourish. Rendered in graphite on paper, the work showcases the medium's versatility for architectural draftsmen: fine lines for intricate scrolls and stems, subtle shading for depth and volume. As a preparatory study from the Drawings and Prints department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art—acquired through The Elisha Whittelsey Collection in 1966—it highlights how such sketches bridged imagination and craftsmanship, influencing workshops across Europe and America. Today, this piece invites us to appreciate the unsung artistry behind everyday elegance, reminding visitors of design's role in shaping 19th-century culture.