In Orthodox churches, the central chandelier with numerous candles was called ‘panikadilo’, or ‘a lamp with many lights’. It was most often made of brass or bronze, sometimes it was made of silver. The panikadilo was usually richly decorated with carvings, forging, and engraving. Candles could be arranged in one or several tiers.
The silver panikadilo from the collection of the Krasnodar State Museum of Local History was made by an unknown artist from Poland or Germany in 1751. There is a commemorative inscription in German, which translates as follows, ‘By order of Mr. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Mikhailovich Priklonsky and under the supervision of Mr. Captain Vasily Semyonovich Bredikhin, this chandelier-panikadilo was made to eternalize the Novotroitsk Dragoons Regiment. May 21, 1751.’ According to this information, the chandelier was created for the feast that was special for the regiment — the Christian High Holy Day of Pentecost.
Alexander Priklonsky was an assistant commander of the regiment, and Vasily Bredikhin, most likely, was the ‘ktetor’ of the field church — that is, he was in charge of church property, allocated money for the repair needs and necessary purchases. The same duties were performed by the wardens of ordinary parish churches. However, they were chosen by the parishioners, and the ktetor was appointed by the commander of a military unit.
The chandelier with six removable endings is forged from silver and decorated with forged, carved, and engraved elements. Some of them are gilded. In the upper part, there is a military armature — a knight’s armor with a helmet surrounded by banners, timpani, and weapons. The figure of an eagle is placed on the helmet.
An unknown artisan created this panikadilo in the Rococo style. This is evidenced by the characteristic details of the decor: for example, on the central part of the chandelier, there are flower garlands and mascarons — elements in the form of human faces. The lower part of the panikadilo is decorated with images of seashells.
The decor of the panikadilo also uses one of the most recognizable rococo motifs — the “bandelwerk”. This was the name of the drawing in the form of intertwined ribbons. Sometimes commemorative inscriptions or mottos were put on them. This type of drawing was inherited from the Baroque style by the Rococo.
The silver panikadilo from the collection of the Krasnodar State Museum of Local History was made by an unknown artist from Poland or Germany in 1751. There is a commemorative inscription in German, which translates as follows, ‘By order of Mr. Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Mikhailovich Priklonsky and under the supervision of Mr. Captain Vasily Semyonovich Bredikhin, this chandelier-panikadilo was made to eternalize the Novotroitsk Dragoons Regiment. May 21, 1751.’ According to this information, the chandelier was created for the feast that was special for the regiment — the Christian High Holy Day of Pentecost.
Alexander Priklonsky was an assistant commander of the regiment, and Vasily Bredikhin, most likely, was the ‘ktetor’ of the field church — that is, he was in charge of church property, allocated money for the repair needs and necessary purchases. The same duties were performed by the wardens of ordinary parish churches. However, they were chosen by the parishioners, and the ktetor was appointed by the commander of a military unit.
The chandelier with six removable endings is forged from silver and decorated with forged, carved, and engraved elements. Some of them are gilded. In the upper part, there is a military armature — a knight’s armor with a helmet surrounded by banners, timpani, and weapons. The figure of an eagle is placed on the helmet.
An unknown artisan created this panikadilo in the Rococo style. This is evidenced by the characteristic details of the decor: for example, on the central part of the chandelier, there are flower garlands and mascarons — elements in the form of human faces. The lower part of the panikadilo is decorated with images of seashells.
The decor of the panikadilo also uses one of the most recognizable rococo motifs — the “bandelwerk”. This was the name of the drawing in the form of intertwined ribbons. Sometimes commemorative inscriptions or mottos were put on them. This type of drawing was inherited from the Baroque style by the Rococo.
