National Museum of Lithuania
Inv. No. IM-5098
Address: Arsenalo str. 1, Vilnius
Time of origin: Poland, Warsaw
Place of origin: Poland, Warsaw
Material, Technique: bronze, copper alloy: casting, cizeling, repoussé, embossing; gilding
Dimensions: height – 114 cm, diameter – 75 cm
The typical chandelier of Lithuanian and Polish churches was probably designed in the 1920s–1930s. The features of art deco style are seen in the mass-production chandelier of the unknown, probably Polish, workshop.
The silhouette of the chandelier is formed by vertical and horizontal intersecting lines, which are joined and softened by C-shaped rounded parts and arms of the same shape. Twenty-four sconces are arranged on three stories and designed for candles (not electrified). Straight horizontal arms with many segments emerging from the disc beneath the stem terminate with hardly recognizable stylized palmettes with a hole. The C-form arms with leaflets support the lower sconces, and upper sconces resemble small profiled torches. Most parts of the chandelier are made with small holes for hanging glass/crystal pendants.
It is probably the only mass-production church chandelier with art deco features preserved in the collections of the National Museum of Lithuania. However, the chandeliers of this model are common in Lithuanian churches. Identical or similar models of the chandelier are known in Dusetos, Gelvonai, Rukainiai churches in Lithuania and Czarna Wieś Kościelna church (Białystok County) in Poland.
Literature and sources:- Sietynas Čarna Vieš Koščelnos (lenk. Czarna Wieś Kościelna) parapinėje bažnyčioje, in: Lenkijos nacionalinio paveldo instituto archyvas, Nr. BKX 120 000 422 768.
- Valtaitė-Gagač Alantė, XVII a.–XX a. 4 dešimtmečio sietynų paveldas Lietuvoje: Daktaro disertacija, Vilnius: Vilniaus dailės akademija, 2015, p. 229.