Seven-branched candelabrum (Essen)

The lampstand, which dates to around the year 1000, is a significant bronze artwork of the early Middle Ages and the oldest preserved seven-armed church candelabrum.

Crafted through the hollow casting technique, it showcases the skillful use of bronze and consists of 46 individual components, all supported by an internal iron frame.

Resting on a square stone base approximately 60 cm high, which is believed to be a Roman spolia, originally a pedestal or a consecration altar.

[2] Elaborately adorned with ribbons and rivets shaped like miniature devil masks, the base culminates with a balustrade-like structure from which the stem of the candelabrum emerges.

Three sets of arms branch out from three calyx-shaped connectors, which elliptically curve upward and terminate at the same level as the candle plate that closes the trunk.

The arms feature a smooth surface and exhibit alternating spherical and polygonal knobs adorned with stylized leaf motifs and embedded gemstones such as heliotropes, smoky quartz, various agates, amethysts, malachites, jaspers, and rock crystals.

[3] Since both Byzantine elements in the ornaments and Lower Saxon influences are detectable, it is assumed that the candelabrum was made in northwestern Germany, possibly in Hildesheim, where other important bronze works of art were created a little later with Bernward Door and Christ Column; however, the location of manufacture is unknown.

[5] The candelabrum symbolizes at the same time the light of the world, which shines in all four directions of the wind represented by the bronze figures of the foot, in order to bring all people home to Christ at the end of all days.