Josep Puig i Cadafalch

JOSEP PUIG I CADAFALCH (Mataró, Barcelona, 1867 – Barcelona, 1956).
Pedestal candelabra, ca. 1905.
Patinated iron and brass, with gilded details.
It has some missing parts on the plant motifs and exhibits wear consistent with age and use.
Measurements: 190 x 80 x 80 cm.

Conceived as a showpiece, the work is fully in line with the neo-medieval strand of Puig i Cadafalch’s Modernism. The structure begins with an open base, composed of curved profiles and pointed arches, from which several iron uprights rise—some of them twisted—connected by ornamental knots and small plant motifs.

At the top, the framework opens into numerous curvilinear arms topped by brass candle holders. The central body, profusely openwork, features scrolls, serrated leaves, flowers, and fruits rendered with vigorous modeling. The ornamentation is not merely applied as a surface decoration but arises from the metal structure itself, whose lines branch out and intertwine, giving the whole the appearance of a plant-like architecture.

The combination of dark iron with the golden reflections of the brass accentuates the piece’s material richness. Its marked verticality, the presence of Gothic-inspired forms, and the organic dynamism of the floral elements reflect the characteristic style of Puig i Cadafalch, who conceived architecture, furniture, and lighting as parts of a single decorative program, as can be seen in the interiors of the Amatller House.

An architect, art historian, and politician, Josep Puig i Cadafalch was one of the leading figures of Catalan Modernism. Among his most notable works are Casa Amatller, Casa Martí, and Casa de les Punxes. The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya houses various pieces of furniture and decorative elements designed by him, a testament to his significant contribution to the field of the applied arts.