Art Deco Cross - Bronze - 1950-1960

Brutalist Bronze Cross Wall Candelabrum – Modern Religious Design – circa 1960–1975

A particularly sculptural wall candelabrum in the shape of a strongly stylized cross, made in heavy bronze with a warm gold-brown patina. The combination of Christian symbolism, bold geometric forms, and a roughly modeled surface gives this object a pronounced Brutalist and Mid-Century Modern appearance.

The cross is purposely removed from traditional finely worked religious form. The horizontal arms flare widely and have light upward-curved lines, while the upper cross-part also strongly flares outward. In the center of the cross there is a round openwork cutout.

The long vertical shaft tapers toward the center and is provided with two additional openings: a stretched teardrop shape and below it a larger arc shape. These negative spaces lighten the composition and at the same time reinforce the architectural character.

Sculpturally cast bronze
Notably beautiful is the rough, almost hammered surface texture. Small pitting, irregularities, and different relief levels are part of the design and cause the light to fall differently across the bronze. On protruding parts a warmer gold color emerges, while recessed areas are darker due to patination.

At the underside is the integrated round candle platform. This clearly protrudes from the wall and has a recessed center in which a candle can be placed. The structure continues to a short conical termination beneath the platform, giving the whole a strong sculptural side profile as well.

Similar religious objects from the 1960s and 1970s combine traditionally Christian symbolism with the expressive language of European Brutalism. Especially in Belgium, during this period various bronze modernist crosses were produced; documented examples by Bruno Eeckman for Fragametal Belgium from around 1970–1980 also show strongly stylized forms and rough textures.

Other European Brutalist candleholders from the 1960s and 1970s were also bronze-cast, where the visible casting structure and material behavior remained an intentional part of the design. A documented bronze candleholder by Heinz Goll, for example, is placed around this period and likewise exhibits the massive, artisanal metal treatment characteristic of Brutalism.

In this piece, no maker's mark or signature is visible in the available photos. It is therefore intentionally not attributed to a specific designer or manufacturer. Based on material, casting technique, and design, a dating of circa 1960–1975 is plausible.

Features
- Object: wall candelabrum / religious wall decoration
- Form: stylized Christian cross
- Period: presumably circa 1960–1975
- Style: Brutalism / Mid-Century Modern / modernist religious design
- Material: presumably solid cast bronze
- Warm gold-brown patina
- Highly textured and irregular surface
- Openwork round, teardrop, and arc-shaped elements
- Integrated round candle platform
- Sculptural three-dimensional form
- Suitable for wall mounting
- Likely Western European
- No maker’s mark or signature visible

Condition

The wall candelabrum is in good used vintage condition, with wear and aging marks appropriate to the material and probable age.

The bronze shows local discoloration, dark patina, light scratches, wear, and small surface irregularities. On protruding parts the metal is locally lighter and more gold-colored. The pits and rough textures in the surface mostly belong to the original casting and finishing technique and enhance the Brutalist character.

See the extensive close-up photos for a good impression of the craftsmanship and condition; these are an integral part of the description.

A strong piece of religious Mid-Century design that works very well both as a functional wall candleholder and as an independent sculptural art object. Due to the combination of the archaic cross form, the rough bronze, and the abstract openings, it fits surprisingly well in modern, Brutalist, as well as classical interiors.

Dimensions
Height 17 cm
Width 9 cm
Depth 8.5 cm

The photos provide a clear impression of the quality and are part of the description. The interior photos have been AI-generated for illustrative purposes only, showing the object in a living environment.

The whole is well packaged and shipped with traceability. The shipping costs also cover packing materials and transportation. Will only be shipped within the postal EU. Pickup is only possible when the lot is auctioned for more than €50 and, of course, by appointment during office hours.

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