Illustration of a medieval chandelier from King René's Tournament Book published in 1460 The Light Fantastic ADRIAN ALAN LTD - A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHANDELIER For centuries the chandelier has been the most iconic lighting form to grace our interiors, balancing a decorative and aesthetic function with practical illumination. From its beginnings it was associated with wealth and power and a burning symbol of success and social standing. Primitive chandeliers, often little more than suspended crossed timbers with spikes to retain candles, came into use in Europe, by way of the church towards the end of the ninth century. Their use gradually spreading to Royal Palaces and Castles, replacing the simple rush lights or torches previously favoured. Developing in response to the type of fuel used and to the aesthetic and technological advancements of the day, the form evolved from its simple wooden origins into light holders of increasing complexity. Firstly iron and brass chandeliers appeared with crown rings and multiple tiers, to maximise the number of lights. Then as a conjunction of their decorative and practical use, luxurious and costly materials such as silver, gilded wood and bronze began to be favoured. An important early form of metal chandelier appeared in Holland and Germany during the fifteenth century, especially in areas around the lower Rhine near Cologne and in northern Germany, as well as in Flemish centres such as Dinant. Made of polished brass or silver with baluster stems and large spherical globes, they elegantly reflected candlelight from their polished surfaces and became the dominant style for many centuries. The simplicity of the design meant that many of these chandeliers survived the Puritan era in England, while more ornate chandeliers of gilded bronze, often with grotesque and cast decoration began to appear in countries such as France.
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The Light Fantastic - Adrian Alan - A Short History.pdf · Illustration of a medieval chandelier from King René's Tournament Book published in 1460 The Light Fantastic ADRIAN ALAN
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Illustration of a medieval chandelier from King
René's Tournament Book published in 1460
The Light Fantastic
ADRIAN ALAN LTD - A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHANDELIER
For centuries the chandelier has been the most iconic lighting form to
grace our interiors, balancing a decorative and aesthetic function with
practical illumination. From its beginnings it was associated with
wealth and power and a burning symbol of success and social
standing.
Primitive chandeliers, often little more than suspended crossed
timbers with spikes to retain candles, came into use in Europe, by way
of the church towards the end of the ninth century. Their use
gradually spreading to Royal Palaces and Castles, replacing the simple
rush lights or torches previously favoured.
Developing in response to the type of fuel used and to the aesthetic
and technological advancements of the day, the form evolved from its
simple wooden origins into light holders of increasing complexity.
Firstly iron and brass chandeliers appeared with crown rings and multiple tiers, to maximise the number of
lights. Then as a conjunction of their decorative and practical use, luxurious and costly materials such as
silver, gilded wood and bronze began to be favoured.
An important early form of metal chandelier appeared in Holland and
Germany during the fifteenth century, especially in areas around the lower
Rhine near Cologne and in northern Germany, as well as in Flemish centres
such as Dinant. Made of polished brass or silver with baluster stems and large
spherical globes, they elegantly reflected candlelight from their polished
surfaces and became the dominant style for many centuries.
The simplicity of the design meant that many of these chandeliers survived the
Puritan era in England, while more ornate chandeliers of gilded bronze, often
with grotesque and cast decoration began to appear in countries such as
France.
Towards the end of the sixteenth century chandeliers began to be dressed with rock crystal, a transparent
form of quartz, to refract and diffuse light and to create a sense of luxurious wonder.
For thousands of years Rock crystal has been prized for its
beauty and its remarkable ability to refract light. When cut
and polished, the inherent striations and inclusions of the
crystal create a refracted light richer in luminosity than that
of manmade crystal or glass. These properties have made it
highly desirable throughout history; its scarcity ensuring its
use was limited to all but the most luxurious of decorative
items.
One of the earliest recorded-references to rock crystal
chandeliers in France is in 1697, when Louis XIV offered
twelve grand 'lustres' in 'cristal de roche’ to the King of Siam.
Louis XV also possessed a chandelier with twelve branches
in his chambre a coucher at Versailles which had been
delivered by Delaroue and Slodtz. This was commented on
by the duc de Luynes: 'on a mis dans la chambre du roi, un
chandelier en cristal de roche d'une grande beauté et que l'on
estime au moins a 100 000 livres'.'
The highest value for rock crystal was historically based, like
diamonds, on two things - the weight and the clarity or
limpidity of the crystal, the clearer the better, hence the
phrase d'une tres belle eau.
An Important Set of Four Louis XV Style Six-Light Gilt-Bronze Rock Crystal Cage Chandeliers
Click Here For Details
An Important Louis XV Style Twelve-Light Rock Crystal and Gilt-Bronze Chandelier
This Impressive Regency Six-Light Gilt-Bronze Chandelier by Hancock & Co. demonstrates how technical advancements and the quest for cleaner and brighter illumination influenced the design of chandeliers. Originally illuminated by the burning of Colza oil, each arm was gravity fed from oil reservoirs in the form of classical urns. The tulip shaped shades shielded the flame, while their frosted glass subtly diffused the light. Click Here For Details
A Fine Louis XVI Style Gilt-Bronze Cherub Six-Light Chandelier after the Model by Pierre Gouthière