in Rome Candelabra were known to have been 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. 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. 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. 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 ( or ). Candelabra, however, can have a disk at the top to carry a lamp, and sometimes there may be a hollow cup, in which resinous woods were burnt. 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. Liturgical services were performed with the use of candlelight, and candelabra with prickets may be used to hold the candles in churches. The candelabra may be very large candlesticks supporting a single light, or they may have multiple branches supporting multiple candles. Seven-armed candelabra mentioned in the Bible also inspired their use in churches; they were known in the 8th century, with the
Essen candelabrum from around 1,000 AD the earliest surviving example. They are also used in the
Eastern Orthodox Church. 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 could 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 in the early period. 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. The candelabra may be placed on a
fireplace mantel, table,
guéridon, and
torchère, or if large, on the floor. In England in the 18th century, candelabra may be used interchangeably with a number of terms, such as branches,
chandeliers, lustres,
girandoles, and wall-lights. 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. In the 18th century, candelabra that are portable became more popular than sconces fixed onto the wall. By the 20th century,
electric light became the common form of lighting, which rendered the use of candle light non-essential. Candelabra, however, continued to be used, especially on formal occasions. Nowadays candles are still commonly used, but they may also be substituted by artificial candles with
LED or
incandescent light bulbs. 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. == Candelabra antennas ==