A candelabrum (plural candelabra but also used as the singular form) is a candle holder with multiple arms.^[1][2][3] "Candelabra" can be used to describe a variety of candle holders including chandeliers. However, candelabra can also be distinguished as branched candle holders that are placed on a surface such as the floor, stand, or tabletop. The chandeliers, on the other hand, are hung from the ceiling.^[4]

The Romans used the term to describe a form of ornamental lighting,^[5] which may be a tall stand that supports a lamp. In Judaism, the menorah and hanukkiah are special kinds of candelabra. Candelabra are also used in churches, in ceremonies such as Tenebrae, in certain Eastern Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church liturgy such as the dikirion and trikirion. Candelabra in the form of branched candlesticks also became popular in homes as decorative lighting.

In modern times, electricity has largely relegated candleholders to decorative use in homes. The interior designers nowadays continue to model light fixtures and lighting accessories after candelabra and candlesticks. 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.

The first known use of candelabra in English was in 1776,^[6] and candelabrum in 1811.^[7] The word is originally Latin, where candēlābrum (candela, candle, -b(a) rum, holder) means a "candlestick”, ultimately deriving from candēla, meaning "candle". Candalabrum is the singular form and candēlābra is the plural.^[6]

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.^[5] "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,^[8][9] and candelabra can be defined as a branched holder that supports multiple candles.^[3][10] "Candelabra" has been used to describe all branched candle holders, including chandeliers. The distinction between a candelabrum and a chandelier, the candelabrum being a candle holder placed on a surface, while the chandelier is hung from the ceiling.^[4]

These candle holders were first 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.^[11] 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.^[12] 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.^[13]

While "candelabrum" is now often used to mean a branched candle holder, the term has been used to describe a variety of lighting devices. A candelabrum may describe a tall stand that supports a lamp.^[14][15] 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 was a hollow cup, in which resinous woods were burnt.^[13]

Ancient candelabra

Barberini candelabrum in the Vatican Museums

Etruscan candelabrum c. 550 B.C

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.^[13] 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.^[16][15] 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.^[16]

The Roman examples seem to have served as models for many of the candelabra in the churches in Italy.^[13] Liturgical services were performed with the use of candlelight, and candelabra with prickets may be used to hold the candles in churches. In the 4th century, Pope Sylvester I presented to churches with brass candelabra inlaid with silver.^[17] Seven-armed candelabra, mentioned in the Bible, may also be found in various churches, including the Eastern Orthodox Church.^[18] 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 can 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.^[19]

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.^[20] 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.^[21] 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.^[22] In the 18th century, candelabra which are portable became more popular than sconces fixed onto the wall.^[23] Two-branched candelabra were then the most common, and some designs allowed the branches to be detached leaving a single-armed candlestick. By the 19th century, silver candelabra with multiple branches were often used together with elaborate centerpieces on dinner tables.^[23]

In the United States and Canada,^{[citation needed]} 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.^[24] 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, the Madison Community Candelabra Tower in Madison.

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  Crystal candelabrum from Portieux
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  A modern candelabrum used decoratively at a wedding in the Casa Pueblo historic building in Uruguay
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  A pair of candelabra with three branches.
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  Porcelain candelabra
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  A five-armed candelabrum
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  Baccarat glass candelabrum
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  Candelabrum with Meissen porcelain parrot
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  Tenebrae candelabrum
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  Church candelabrum with votive candles in Germany
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  Candelabra in Switzerland
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  A hanukiah
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  Trivulzio Candelabrum

• Candlestick
• Chandelier
• Menorah
• Girandole
• Torchère
• Paracas Candelabra
• Charlottenburg Candelabra a pair of ornamental colonnades in west Berlin with a passing resemblance to candelabra

• Baur, Veronika (1996). Metal Candlesticks: History, Styles and Techniques. Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 9780764301568.