Collectibles -> Lamps, Lighting -> Ceiling Fixtures
The crystal chandelier got its start in the 1600s in England, when the use of lead glass became common and even popular. Originally used in medieval abbeys and churches to light up the cavernous rooms, the chandelier started out as a wooden cross with spikes at the ends which held candles. The very word “chandelier” is from the French world candle, and means candleholder. Where the chandelier differs from other types of ancient candleholding devices is its location, suspended from the ceiling, usually in the middle of large rooms.
Aside from being a way to light up a room after dark in the years of pre-electricity, the chandelier has its place in our history in a more important way. Galileo Galilei actually discovered the law of the pendulum after watching a suspended lamp swing in the Pisa Cathedral and he realized that each swing took the same amount of time, even though it was shorter than the one before it. Of course, it wasn’t a crystal chandelier that prompted this discovery, but it wasn’t long after the first uses of chandeliers in medieval churches that the direct forerunner of the modern electric crystal chandelier was created.
Leaded glass, otherwise known as stained glass, became a common material for use in places like cathedrals in England in the 1600s. The lead made the glass more refractive, and added sparkle. Rock crystal was actually fairly rare at the time and often during cutting the quartz would break or crumble, ruining its light-refracting properties. So achieving that same sparkle from true crystal proved difficult. The addition of lead oxide softened the glass and made it easier to cut, make the glass crystals sparkle brilliantly. The dozens of pieces of glass in a crystal chandelier of that period would reflect the many candles used for illumination, and eventually became a common fixture in the homes of the wealthy and the upper classes.
In the 1700s, crystal chandeliers became longer and more ornate, and were in demand as luxury objects for the wealthy. The styles became more elaborate, as the crystal chandelier became almost a status symbol rather than a functional way to light up your home or palace. The drip pans below each candle were often made in the shape of bells or flowers, and the arms became more intricate, often in the style of a Grecian urn. While less wealthy households often used chandeliers for lighting, theirs were typically made of things like wood, metal or even tin.
As electric lighting became standard, the charm of the crystal chandelier began to lie in how it looked unlit, as a purely decorative piece. When it comes to chandeliers or any crystal items, Daniel Swarovski’s work is a highly sought after item. In the late 19th century he patented his machine that cut glass and jewelry perfectly. Those looking for a vintage crystal chandelier in online auctions often search first for Swarovskis, which are valuable and still sought out 50 years after his death.
Originally posted 2008-10-21 05:00:58. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Tapestries Collectibles -> Linens, Fabric & Textiles -> Tapestries Tapestries are more than just beautiful wall hangings, they're woven art that served to tell stories in ancient times. The Odyssey and the Iliad were both “told” in woven form as large, rich tapestries. Every period in history has had major events...... - Menorah Collectables -> Religions, Spirituality -> Judaica The Menorah is an ancient symbol of the Jewish faith, representing the faith and people for almost 3000 years. While even those of us who aren't Jewish recognize this symbol when we see it, many don't understand its significance. Menorahs are most commonly seen......
-
Fountain Pen Collectables -> Pens-and-Writing-Instruments -> Pens You can walk into almost any store today and purchase a fountain pen. Technically, the modern ballpoint pen is a fountain pen, at least by definition. But the type of fountain pen most people think of is a vintage pen that's refillable and has...... - Miniature Collectibles Collectibles -> Decorative Collectibles -> Miniatures When it comes to a delightful collectible that won’t take up a lot of space, miniature collectibles are the ideal answer. These tiny little works of art require a great deal of craftsmanship and many of them feature amazingly lifelike details. You can find......
-
Grand Piano Dealers -> Musical Instruments -> Keyboard The first pianos to be called “grand” were manufactured in 1777, and soon became status symbols that the wealthy and affluent all wanted to own. A grand piano can command a room. Usually, it's the largest piece of “furniture” in a room, and......
Related Websites -
4 Steps to Remove a Broken Light bulb If you have a light bulb that has become broken in its holder, the process of removing it can be relatively tricky. When the light bulb breaks, all that is usually left is the glass shards and the light bulb holder, which is screwed into a lighting fixture. Light bulb...... -
Grateful Dead Posters Memorabilia -> G -> Grateful Dead Grateful Dead fans, often called Dead Heads, and music memorabilia collectors can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for items like handbills and Grateful Dead posters. Anyone not familiar with the band or the unique style of images and posters used during the...... - Mad Hatter Educator For those of you that follow this blog, this topic of "madness" among educators is one that I've commented on frequently outside of this blog. Thus those that follow me in academia will know of this subject: The propensity of "mad" tendencies, aka insanity, among educators. Carroll's "Mad Hatter" character......
- Antique Mirrors Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Mirrors Antique mirrors are a highly collectible item, with many of the frames boasting decorative carving and detail much like elaborate, wooden picture frames of old. A mirror itself is little more than glass covering a reflective surface and not very impressive—many of us carry......
- Antique Lighting Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps Whether you are trying to restore an older home and would like to keep it in the period style, or you just appreciate older light fixtures, antique lighting has much to offer. There are many different styles from Victorian, to Art Deco to Modern......
