A Lüstermännchen

Lüsterweibchen or Lüstermännchen refer to a distinctive style of chandelier, characterised by an intricately carved wooden figure adorned with a pair of antlers. A Lüsterweibchen, literally translating to ‘little woman chandelier’ is the more common type whereas the Lüstermännchen, with a male central figure, are much more rare. The earliest recorded example has a female central figure and is in the church of St. Mary in Lemgo, Westphalia, Germany dating to the late 14^th century.

The format gained great popularity over the subsequent centuries with luminaries such as Albrecht Dürer, Veit Stoss, and Tilman Riemenschneider turning their hand to their designs. The creations combined the artistry of figural modelling with the mysticism that was associated with antlers, long believed to have apotropaic powers. The iconography of the chandeliers was diverse, creating fantastical figures drawn from sacred and profane sources that ranged from sirens to saints. By the 19th century, capitalising on the increasing affluence of the European middle class and the dawn of gas and electric lighting, these sculptural chandeliers had evolved into established design elements, seamlessly blending ornamental, mythological and illuminative functions.