Antique Chandeliers
Georgian Chandeliers
Antique chandeliers first gain a mention around 1700 with the installation of a ‘crystal’ branch at Hampton Court. The first 'crystal chandeliers' were metal and wire frames decorated with rock crystal beads and rosettes. It was not until the Georgian era, that developments in glass technology meant an arm could be fashioned from glass that was strong enough to hold some weight. As the designs improved, the crystal chandelier became highly fashionable. Candles and glass were very expensive and highly taxed which made chandeliers the ultimate status symbol.
Antique chandelier with early glass arms
Social changes meant that the long held tradition of lunchtime dinning was substituted, at least by the upper classes, to evening dinner parties which required lighting. The poor quality of the candle light available made glass and mirrors the perfect addition to increase the light in a glamorous room. A wealthy Georgian homeowner would often burn hundreds of candles during a dinner party, but may well be found reading by a fire and burning a cheaper, tallow candle, once the guests had left!
Antique chandelier by Parker and Perry
The style and design of crystal chandeliers continued to change with the development of new techniques. By C. 1800, Regency ‘frame’ or ‘tent’ chandeliers became popular. A metal frame supports crystal chains which run the length of the chandelier.
Antique Georgian Chandelier with candles
When William Parker was commissioned to make the Tea Room chandeliers at the Bath Assembly Rooms, he introduced vase-shaped stem pieces and neo-classical elements, giving the rather more slender, elegant design we still see today. Antique chandeliers dating from Georgian times are now both rare and extremely valuable. The crystal chandeliers gracing the Bath Assembly Rooms are valued at several million pounds.
Victorian Chandeliers
Victorian chandelier by Osler originally made for gas
In the Victorian era, the crystal chandelier maintained it's appeal. Glass techniques improved still further and an expanding empire and industrialisation ensured that English crystal chandeliers were exported all over the world. Many Victorian antique chandeliers can still be found as far afield as India and South America. Chandeliers were often made to run on the new domestic gas supply (actually called gasoliers) and many examples of these remain today. F&C Osler deserve a special mention, premier chandelier manufacturers based in Birmingham who supplied all the crystal for the Great Exhibition in London 1851.
Close up of a Vistorian chandelier by Osler
A crystal chandelier was still only to be found in the homes of the wealthier Victorian, but an expanding middle class brought greater affluence and industrial techniques meant that production increased.
Metal frame from an Antique Chandelier made by Osler chandelier
For more information about F&C Osler please visit The Antique Lighting Blog
Edwardian Chandeliers
The Georgians and Victorians loved their chandeliers but it was the Edwardians who reproduced them in large quantities following traditional chandelier designs. The majority of antique chandeliers we come across are Edwardian chandeliers. As more homes were connected with electricity and the middle classes continued to expand, the demand for crystal chandeliers grew.
This Edwardian chandelier, made by F&C Osler, has typical Georgian snake arms.
Czechoslavakia was a major source of Georgian style chandeliers in early to mid C20th and many of these pretty chandeliers are still around today.... A rather more economical way of enjoying some Georgian splendour!
Czechoslavakian chandelier in the Georgian style