Altar Candlestick

Art Historical Context

This elegant **Altar Candlestick**, in the 17th century from gleaming brass, stands at an impressive 66 cm high (excluding the pricket, the spike for securing a candle). Hailing from South Netherland or German workshops, it exemplifies the fine metalwork traditions of Northern Europe during the Baroque era Now part of the Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (quired in 1975), it invites visitors to envision its original role illuminating sacred spaces. In 17th-century churches, altar candlesticks like this were vital liturgical objects, holding candles that symbolized di...