Schwibbogen are arch-shaped light holders, a type of Christmas folk art from the Erzgebirge area of Germany. Based on the lamps worn by miners of the area, the first Schwibbogen appeared in the eighteenth century as a way to decorate the church during the midnight mass. Later these candle-holders were placed in windows and were used as home decorations. Nowadays they appear in many forms and have become a highly prized form of collectible. The name seems to have been derived from the German architectural term for arches on Gothic buildings.
Originally metal with designs based on the mining life, the craft is now largely fashioned from wood and can often feature religious scenes, landscapes, or even advertisements.