Smeedijzeren kroonluchter uit de Sint-Pieterskerk in Bastenaken, opgesteld op een tentoonstelling over religieuze objecten uit de middeleeuwen en renaissance in 1864 in Mechelen before 1866

This is an image made by Joseph Maes, depicting a wrought iron chandelier from the Church of Saint Peter in Bastogne, displayed at an exhibition in Mechelen in 1864. The chandelier, crowned with a diadem of finials, is heavy with symbolism. Light, since ancient times, has been associated with divinity and knowledge. As such, illumination in sacred spaces is not merely functional but profoundly symbolic. Note the crown-like structure: a symbol of authority and divine right, here repurposed to sanctify the light, signifying a celestial blessing over the congregation. Consider how the crown, originally a secular symbol of power, has been adopted and adapted by religious institutions throughout history. From the laurel wreaths of Roman emperors to the bejeweled crowns of medieval monarchs, the archetype persists. Yet, its essence—the embodiment of authority and reverence—endures. This image embodies the cyclical nature of symbols, their capacity to resurface, evolve, and assume new meanings across time.