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Bright mathematics

Rhombicuboctahedron – this is the mathematical term for the core shape of the Moravian star. Its surface is covered with pyramidal points, 17 of them with a square and eight with a triangular base. The last, eighteenth square space is left without a point; through this opening a source of light is inserted. A geometry book dating back to about 1900 contains valuable instructions to build such a star.
A more robust variety of this star was created from metal by a master plumber named Krautwurst. For this star the paper points glued together by sisters in the Brüderhaus were slid on to a metal frame.
This resulted in a type of star that was easy to build from individual components; its transport was easy and postage was reasonable.