Candelabra

Etymology

The first known use of candelabra in English was in 1776, and candelabrum in 1811. The word is originally Latin, where candēlābrum (candela, candle, -b(a) rum, holder) means a "candlestick”, ultimately deriving from candēla, meaning "candle". Candēlābrum is the singular form and candēlābra is the plural.

While candelabra is the correct plural form of candelabrum, due to changes in English usage over time, candelabra is now popularly used as the singular form, with candelabras the supposed plural form. "Candelabrums" is also sometimes seen for the same reasons.

Candelabra is a form of candlestick; candlestick is defined as an object that holds a candle, and candelabra can be defined as a branched holder that supports multiple candles. "Candelabra" has been used to describe all branched candle holders, including chandeliers. The distinction between a candelabrum and a chandelier is that the candelabrum is a candle holder placed on a surface, while the chandelier is hung from the ceiling.

History

Candelabra were known to have been used in the ancient world. A notable example is the seven-armed candelabrum or menorah, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible with instruction on its creation to Moses. The menorah is depicted in the Arch of Titus following the capture of Jerusalem. It has since become a symbol of Judaism and an Emblem of Israel, as well as a model of seven-armed candelabra used in medieval Christian churches. A bronze candelabrum was made by Callimachus for the Erechtheion in Athens, to carry the lamp sacred to Athena. In this case it is possible the lamp was suspended.

While "candelabrum" is now often used to mean a branched candle holder, the term has been used to describe a variety of lighting objects. A candelabrum may describe a tall stand that supports a lamp. The Roman candelabra may consist of a stalk or reed, the upper part moulded with projecting feature to carry lights at the top, and a base resting on three lions' or griffins' feet. The origin of the term, which means a candlestick, suggests that Roman candelabra may have a disk with a spike on top to carry a wax or tallow candle (candela or funalia). Candelabra, however, can have a disk at the top to carry a lamp, and sometimes there may be a hollow cup, in which resinous woods were burnt.

The Roman candelabra used in public building can be of significant size, and they may have bulky supports in stone or marble, of which many examples were found in the thermae. These consists of a base, often triangular, a shaft either richly moulded or carved with the acanthus plant and crowned with a large cup or basin with similar design to the small sacrificial altars. Examples of the latter excavated from Hadrian's Villa are now found in the Vatican Museums. Simpler tall slender candelabra with three feet were used in a domestic setting in the Etruscan and Roman periods. These may be made of wood, but many made of bronze were excavated in Herculaneum and Pompeii. Other types of candelabra also existed in the Roman period; these may consist of a figure supporting one or two branches with plates for lamps, or a type that may be placed on a table, with a pillar that has branches from which lights are suspended.

The Roman examples seem to have served as models for many of the candelabra in the churches in Italy. Liturgical services were performed with the use of candlelight, and candelabra with prickets may be used to hold the candles in churches. The candelabra may be very large candlesticks supporting a single light, or they may have multiple branches supporting multiple candles. Seven-armed candelabra, mentioned in the Bible, may also be found in various churches, including the Eastern Orthodox Church. Candelabra may be used in some religious ceremonies.

Candelabra in the form of branched candle holders were commonly found in religious buildings, but they were also used in the homes of the wealthy. Good wax candles were expensive in the early period and only the wealthy could afford them, while the cheaper tallow candles made of animal fat were smelly, smokey and burned quickly. Candle holders were therefore rare in ordinary households in the early period.

By the 17th century in France, candelabra was defined by César-Pierre Richelet as "a large room candlestick which has several branches", although candelabra existed in other forms. The candelabra may be placed on a fireplace mantel, table, guéridon, and torchère, or if large, on the floor. In England in the early 18th century, candelabra may be used interchangeably with a number of terms, such as branches, chandeliers, lustres, girandoles, and wall-lights. Girandoles were a form of candelabra with crystals in the 17th century, but were sold as candelabra in England by the end of the 18th century.

In the 18th century, candelabra that are portable became more popular than sconces fixed onto the wall.

By the 20th century, electric light became the common form of lighting, which rendered the use of candle light non-essential. Candelabra, however, continued to be used, especially on formal occasions. Nowadays candles may still be used, but they may also be substituted by artificial candles with LED or incandescent light bulbs. The term ‘candelabra’ is commonly used to describe small light bulbs used in chandeliers and other lighting fixtures made for decoration as well as lighting.

Candelabra antennas

In the United States and Canada, the word candelabra is used to refer to radio masts and towers with multiple transmission antennas. Sutro Tower in San Francisco and John Hancock Center in Chicago are examples of such structures. Baltimore's TV stations, WMAR-TV, WBAL-TV, and WJZ-TV in 1959 built the world’s first three-antenna candelabra tower, 730 feet tall. Other examples include the Mount Royal Candelabra in Montreal, the KXTV/KOVR/KCRA Tower, KSMO Candelabra Tower, KMBC/KCWE Candelabra Tower, and the Madison Community Candelabra Tower in Madison, Wisconsin.

Gallery

File:Candélabres.jpg|Crystal candelabrum from Portieux File:Boda en Casapueblo - Wedding Planner Uruguay.JPG|A modern candelabrum used decoratively at a wedding in the Casa Pueblo historic building in Uruguay File:Candelabrum (one of a pair) MET DP-12374-040.jpg|Porcelain candelabra File:Candelabrum (one of a pair) MET ES4714.jpg|A five-armed candelabrum File:Johann Joachim Kändler - Candelabras with Parrots - 1938.305 - Cleveland Museum of Art.tif|Candelabrum with Meissen porcelain parrot File:Tenebrario Colonial.jpg|Tenebrae candelabrum File:Dolmabağça sarayının Mərasim zalında büllur çilçıraq və mərmər sütunlar.jpg|Glass candelabra in Turkey File:Providenzkirche HD Opferlichter.JPG|Votive candle rack that resembles a candelabra in a church in Germany Nummen kirkko, kynttelikko, oikea-trimmed.jpg|Candelabra in Finland File:Hungarian Jewish Museum, Menorah.jpg|A hanukiah File:IMG 6849 - Duomo - Menorah Trivulzio - Foto Giovanni Dall'Orto 3-Mar-2007.jpg|Trivulzio Candelabrum

References

Bibliography

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