Candle Holder c. 17th century

This candle holder, crafted anonymously, is adorned with symbols that speak to us across time. Notice the calligraphic bands near the top and base, elegant in their form, which likely contain sacred texts or invocations, meant to purify the space and elevate the spirit. The teardrop or almond-shaped motif, frequently found in the Middle East, is here repeated on the body of the holder, resonating with the mandorla in Western Christian art. The mandorla, too, symbolizes a sacred space, and the convergence of heaven and earth. These motifs appear in different contexts throughout history. As light flickers from the candle above, these symbols create a dance of shadows, engaging with our subconscious. They connect us to the universal human desire to illuminate the darkness, both literal and metaphorical, and, like a flame, this symbol has endured through time, continually rekindled in our collective memory.