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Friday, August 24th, 2018
The linear candelabra paired just right with the beauty of these Humphrey Bogart dining room collection.
That pair of candlesticks that has multiple arms is what’s referred to as candelabrum (with the plural form of candelabra, although, it has become acceptable to call it as candelabra as a singular thing with candelabras as its plural form).
Candelabrum refers to candle-tree. This is a Latin word that was so-named because of its arms or branches. The candelabrum became a need before the advent of electrical light. At the time, it was imperative to have more than one candle in a room in order to brighten up space especially when the homeowners needed to do some reading or writing during the evening.
Originally, the candelabrum comes with one supporting column that holds 2-4 branches or arms. The arms could be removed as desired and the column was then just able to hold one candlestick.
Many homes used the candelabra and displayed them prominently in their homes. To some, these even became a status symbol of sorts. With greater illumination provided by this one element, it became apparent for craftsmen to stylize it.
The candelabrum became even more popular in the 1800s when silver was already used as the leading material in creating this lovely lighting piece. By that time, the candelabra have all become a substantial part of homes’ décor especially in the dining room and the living room. With seated guests all around, the candelabra allowed for people to have conversations when there used to be just darkness.
While candles have been around since 3000 BC, the display of light has become sort of a necessity. In 400 BC, there has been evidence of clay candelabra. Today, these can be practically made from any material including gold, silver, copper, brass, crystal, and iron.
The use of the candelabrum as a lighting piece died in the 1870s when the light bulb was already invented. By then, it has just become a decorative piece, one that evoked romance and intimacy.
Candelabra Types
The arms of the candelabra made the huge difference on how each piece would look. There are those that have as many as eight arms and even the grander ones that display a lot more than this. The more elaborate candelabra are now typically found in museums.
The ones that have more arms have been given wider bases in order to support the more numerous branches. The styles and types of the candelabra were different based on the era when they were created. So, for instance, if the prevailing fashion for dining at a certain time was silver, then the candelabra were patterned to these pieces.
As years passed, the designs became more refined and as the modern and contemporary eras came, the look of these lighting pieces also changed with the times. Going back to the simplistic design of the George I candelabra which was linear and angular, it was highly contrasted by the George II style which had a lot of embellishments and decorative parts.
This constant evolution paved the way for finer pieces being produced in the latter years. Probably the most renowned candelabrum is the Menorah which has seven branches. This is a symbol of Jewish faith and, in fact, is so old that it was even mentioned in the Bible.
Candelabra are now considered synonymous with opulence. Buyers should just know how to invest in the best ones and to maintain them so that they can last for many years.
The Uttermost Lamps and Lighting Rudra Antiqued Silver Candelabra 18909 has a modern flair that sits just right in a modern home.
Candelabra: Damage Prevention
Of course, you should be careful with the types of candles that you would use. To prevent stains and drips, use quality, non-petroleum based ones.
As soon as the drips harden, be sure to remove them as fresh wax is more pliable. Wear gloves as you touch the candelabrum.
Never use water to clean the candelabra.
Tags: candelabra, candelabrum, cleaning the candelabra, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Accents, Accessories, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Lighting | Comments Off on The Candelabra: Creating An Intimate Setting
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