Six-branch chandelier

Unknown

ca. 1580–1600 · Gilded bronze · European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

This chandelier reveals a surprise: the hexagonal body can be opened to hold incense or scented oil. The fragrance would escape through the openwork sides to gently diffuse scent throughout the room and surround occupants with its heady aroma. The chandelier’s intimate scale suggests that it was placed in a private residence, where its perfume would enhance merriment and cleanse the air of harmful vapors. Paired with the light of the flickering flames reflecting in the shiny gilded bronze of the drip plates, the hazy, sweet-smelling smoke would have created a stimulating effect.

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 1580–1600

Medium

Gilded bronze

Culture

German, Augsburg

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Credit line

Purchase, Anna-Maria and Stephen Kellen Acquisitions Fund, 2019