A Monumental Late Gothic Brass Altar Candlestick, or Scheibenleuchter

A substantial Nuremberg brass altar candlestick of the type known as a Scheibenleuchter, retaining its tall iron pricket. The broad stepped circular foot supports a straight shaft articulated by moulded rings and three prominent flattened disc-shaped knops, terminating in a wide moulded drip pan.

The form is characteristic of the highly developed Nuremberg Rotschmied tradition, whose craftsmen produced cast brass objects for ecclesiastical and domestic use throughout Europe. Closely related Scheibenleuchter are discussed by Otto A. Baumgärtel, including dated examples of 1492, 1495 and 1501. The type continued well into the sixteenth century, however, with related ringed shaft forms appearing on monumental candlesticks dated 1540 at the Neumünsterkirche, Würzburg. A date within the first half of the sixteenth century is therefore appropriate for the present example.

The candlestick is hollow cast, with a separate iron pricket and plate. At some point in its long history it appears to have been adapted for use as an electric lamp, leaving a small aperture at the lower edge of the foot which has subsequently been sympathetically repaired.