A grand chandelier can change the atmosphere and character of any room with the mere flick of a switch. For centuries, these dramatic light fixtures have served as the focal point of great halls and dining rooms, and even today, antique chandeliers are avidly sought out by collectors. Thanks to ever-changing fashions, one can find a suitable chandelier for nearly every taste and space. Read on as we shed light on the various types of antique chandeliers, from early wooden creations to dazzling crystal designs.
How to Identify an Antique Chandelier
Because of the popularity of antique chandeliers, many modern reproductions of these styles exist on the market today. To earn the moniker "antique," a chandelier must be at least 100 years old. A true antique will command a premium on the market, so to ensure that you aren’t paying antique prices for a vintage or modern replica, here are a few qualities that designate a genuine antique.First and foremost, if and how a chandelier has been wired for electricity is a fairly easy way to determine its age. Most antique chandeliers were created before the age of electricity. Thomas Edison brought electricity to New York City in 1882, but it is estimated that by the 1920s, only approximately 50% of American homes had power. Therefore, most antique chandeliers were converted for electricity in the mid-20th century. If a chandelier has visible wiring, it is a good indication that it is an antique.
Furthermore, evidence of other lighting techniques aside from electricity can give a clue to a chandelier's age. If it has hollow tubes, this likely indicates that it was once powered by gas. However, the presence of bobeche — a collar to catch wax drippings — or candlestick holders likely cast its light using candles.
The glass or crystal itself can give a helpful clue about the age of a chandelier. If the design is not entirely symmetrical or uniform, this usually indicates that it was hand cut, indicating an antique. Also, most modern chandeliers are made with crystal beads created from molds, so if a mold line is present on the chandelier, this usually indicates a reproduction and not a true antique.
The glass or crystal itself can give a helpful clue about the age of a chandelier. If the design is not entirely symmetrical or uniform, this usually indicates that it was hand cut, indicating an antique. Also, most modern chandeliers are made with crystal beads created from molds, so if a mold line is present on the chandelier, this usually indicates a reproduction and not a true antique.
Lastly, don’t forget to search the fixture for a maker’s mark. Learning the maker or manufacturer of a chandelier is a quick and relatively simple way to determine its age, but finding the maker’s mark can be a challenge. Be sure to examine all aspects of the fixture, from the glass or crystal to the canopy, arms and neck.
Types of Antique Chandeliers
Wood
The earliest chandeliers were far more humble than the opulent fixtures one thinks of today. Up until the 14th century, chandeliers were usually crafted from two wooden panels that crossed in an X-form with spikes on each end upon which one could secure candles. Simple yet functional, these designs gradually lost favor as artisans began experimenting with more artistic forms crafted of metal.
Metal and Metal Alloy Chandeliers
Beginning in the 15th century, more complex decorative fixtures became popular as focal points in palaces and upper-class homes. First, brass and iron chandeliers were developed with crown rings and multiple tiers, allowing the maximum number of candles to illuminate a space. Later, these forms evolved to be even more decorative as more costly materials such as silver and bronze gained favor.
Rock Crystal Chandeliers
In the late 16th century, rock crystal began to be used to adorn chandeliers. A naturally occurring, transparent form of quartz, rock crystal was found to refract and diffuse light from candles, creating chandeliers that were not only more effective at illuminating a space, but were also spectacularly beautiful.Because it is formed in nature, rock crystal is not an optically pure stone, but is instead filled with veins and other natural inclusions. These qualities make the material both an attractive and interesting addition to fixtures. And because rock crystal tends to be thick and bulky, artisans were able to carve large orbs, teardrops, flowers and prisms that suited a number of diverse styles and designs. However, because all of these pieces were entirely hand carved, they were incredibly time-consuming and expensive to produce. Thus, rock crystal chandeliers became a symbol of status and wealth, adorning the most important palaces, royal residences and upscale homes throughout Europe.
Crystal Chandeliers
While rock crystal was, and remains, wildly popular in light fixtures, an alternative to the natural material was developed in 1676 by the Englishman George Ravenscroft. Known as lead crystal, or flint glass, this material was produced with high levels of lead oxide that resulted in a crystal that was easily cut, highly refractive and more transparent that naturally occurring rock crystal. Its emergence revolutionized the chandelier market, and its ease of production led to the creation of spectacular and dazzling all-crystal chandeliers.
Blown Glass Chandeliers
Apart from crystal, glass was also frequently used in chandeliers, and perhaps the most exquisite examples are those that hail from the Venetian island of Murano. Venice’s artistic traditions run deep in the centuries-old city, but perhaps none is more well known than Venetian glass, which boasts a remarkable 1500-year history. Following a devastating fire in the 13th century, the Glassmakers Guild moved all furnaces outside of the city to the island of Murano; not only did this prevent fires in the city, but it also helped to ensure the secrets of the trade remained in Italy’s borders.
Favrile Glass Chandeliers
In the realm of light fixtures, one of the most well-known and sought-after fixtures has long been the Tiffany lamp. This revolutionary design studio led by Louis Comfort Tiffany produced some of the greatest masterpieces in American glass, and among them were not only lamps, but also chandeliers. Crafted at the turn of the century, Tiffany chandeliers were distinctively Art Nouveau in taste and style, and they incorporated what was perhaps Tiffany’s most significant innovation — Favrile glass.Lighting in the Domestic Interior: Renaissance to Art Nouveau, 1991, Jonathan Bourne and Vanessa Brett
The Lamps of Tiffany Studios: Nature Illuminated, 2016, Margaret K. Hofer
“Why is Murano Glass Special?“ www.invaluable.com. Accessed 15 Jully 2022. https://www.invaluable.com/blog/murano-glass/
