The Leuchterspinne is a wooden chandelier made of a multitude of individual wooden elements. The pieces are hand produced by Dregeno Seiffen with traditional woodworking techniques known as “Ringelbaumdrehen" or “Spanbaumstechen”. The modular method of producing objects in the Erzgebirge, where the same element can function as a nose for one figurine and as a hand for another one, allows for constructing miniature worlds from hundreds of individual parts.

In the Erzgebirge, a distinctive tradition in woodworking and toy-making evolved in the 17th century, with Christmas decoration flourishing in the 19th century, and enduring to the present day. A vital aspect of this cultural heritage lies in the transformation of chandeliers, from symbols of wealth for noble and affluent houses, into unique hand-crafted wooden chandeliers, called Leuchterspinne, for the homes of ordinary people. The transition is marked by simplicity and instructive messages of religious content. The crafts are now endangered due to significant demographic changes, rising costs of labour, and a generational shift currently occurring in the Erzgebirge region.

In response, the collective around Johanna Seelemann, Robert Damisch, Ida Eklöf and Heinrich Ehnert seeks to revitalise the profession by analysing traditional techniques and employing experimental design methods. They've initiated a project based on an abstracted version of the traditional Leuchterspinne, combining unique local woodworking techniques with elements from furniture making and integrating passive LED lights. This approach aims to establish a replicable framework while allowing craftsmen to produce individualised products, as demonstrated by the Leuchterspinne, serving as a pilot object for further development.