Wrought Iron Candle Holders and Candelabra
Iron candle holders, wall torches, sconces and candelabra were the most common lighting options in the middle ages, though the wealthy owned beautiful gilded brass and copper candlesticks, often elaborately decorated with mythological creatures and intricate patterns.
Hand-dipped candles were set into metal prongs on the top of tripod-based holders, or set into spiral loop holders, as standard candle sizes were unknown. Create a medieval ambience in your home with these wrought iron candelabra and candle holders.
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What is wrought iron?
Blacksmiths have been creating wrought iron for thousands of years - it is the traditional iron worked by blacksmiths, heated in a charcoal forge and shaped into all manner of ornamental and practical works. Up until the 17th century, smiths used almost pure iron - and it was the infusion of the carbon from the charcoal forge that provided the needed strength to the iron. Iron itself is a soft metal. Ancient smiths had to learn over hundreds of years the necessity of resmelting and reworking the iron to achieve the proper amount of carbon for strength, yet workability. Modern smiths now use a carbon iron alloy that is stronger than what old-time smiths had available. Too much carbon can produce "cast iron", strong yet much more brittle than wrought iron.
From as early as the 13th century, medieval smiths also used wrought iron to strengthen the arches and domes of medieval architecture. However, since wrought iron is softer than steel, it has mostly been used for ornamental and fancy ironwork. Throughout the middle ages, methods for refining iron at the mine sites were greatly improved, providing better quality iron in more conveniently sized ingots and bars to smiths throughout Europe.
As iron quality improved, smiths became better at shaping this soft material into beautifully intricate designs - contributing much ornamental scrollwork to the architecture of Renaissance Italy. The peak of artistic expression in ironwork was the 17th century, known for its exquisite leaf designs often with coloring added.
Wrought iron is supple and bendable so that it seldom breaks - examples still exist that were created hundreds of years ago. It is also corrosion resistant. The beauty of wrought iron is timeless and just as sought after today for home and garden decor as it has always been. Your home can have a truly medieval look and feel with wrought iron candle holders, wall sconces, candelabra and chandeliers.