Paschal Candlestick
Unknown Artist
c. 1525–1550
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
123.2 × 41 × 44 cm
Classification
Sculpture
Department
European Painting and Sculpture
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Bequest of John L. Severance
Accession Number
1942.802
About this artwork
In Roman Catholic practice, a large candlestick holds the Paschal Candle, blessed and lit for the first time on Easter eve, then used on significant occasions throughout the year. Despite its religious function, the decorations here are entirely secular-ranging from panthers and bound satyrs to the heads of raptors and goats. These elements derive from ancient Roman sculpture and were especially popular among intellectuals in northern Italy, who were actively exploring connections among pagan tr...