The History of Chandeliers

This was a major development because it meant light could be carried to wherever it was needed, and the kind of lighting shown on cave walls was actually used by peasants until the beginning of the 20th century. Almost from the time we began burning candles, though, people have used chandeliers. The original chandeliers were literally candle holders, named after the French word for candle holder: “chandelle”.

Chandelier Evolution

Those early chandeliers provided light more effectively than wall sconces and hand-held candles, but were very simple. They were designed as a wooden cross with a spike at each end, and a candle on each spike.

Even so, these lighting fixtures were only found in wealthy homes and churches. By the 16^th and 17^th centuries, chandeliers in very wealthy homes were typically made of brass, and in the homes of the less prosperous, they were made of wrought iron, tin sheets, or wood.

A notable advancement occurred in 1676, when glass was first used in chandeliers. Over the years, chandeliers have been adapted to keep up with advances in technology, first moving from candles to gas, then to electricity. Today, they are made from wood, glass, iron, brass, copper, plastic, ceramics, steel, stainless steel, wrought iron, and even antlers.

Along the way, as chandeliers have made the journey from candlelight to LED, they’ve remained a symbol of prosperity and art, status and taste. Having continually been updated, chandeliers are timeless.

Iconic Chandeliers

Because chandeliers have been closely associated with the aristocracy, perhaps the best way to trace the evolution of the chandelier is by following the history of the monarchs whose reigns, particularly between the 15^th and 19^th centuries, coincided with some of the most memorable and classic designs. The evolution of these designs led to the chandeliers we prize today.

• Flemish chandeliers were the first to make a lasting impact. Dutch brass chandeliers were a welcome change from the wood and iron light fixtures of earlier centuries. The Dutch-style chandelier, with its central ball stem and upward-curving arms, arrived in the 15^th century and all but supplanted earlier designs. Painted by the masters, these Flemish chandeliers incorporated religious and Gothic symbolism, along with stylised depictions of flora and fauna. Brass was beautifully suited to the crafting of chandeliers because of the way its smooth surfaces reflected candlelight.
• French Rock Crystal chandeliers went through many design phases. Because France did not begin producing high-quality glass until late in the 18^th century, French chandeliers developed as Rock Crystal chandeliers. These crystals, made of a transparent form of quartz, were imported from different European regions, particularly Bohemia, which is now the Czech Republic. Consisting of a metal frame decorated with pendants, drops, and rosettes, this style of chandelier quickly became popular throughout the most luxurious homes in Europe, but is most strongly associated with Versailles. The first French Rock Crystal chandeliers emerged in the 17^th century and were made in the Baroque style, which began in Florence. By the end of the century, the two primary types of chandelier were the lustre à tige découverte, in the style of Louis XIV, and lustre à lace, also called Maria Antoinetta, and their lavish, ornate style set the standard for grandeur throughout Europe. With the emergence of the Rococo movement, however, fashion changed in pushback against excess. During the reign of Louis XV, the chandeliers were typically made of bronze and featured soft curves, asymmetrical leaf-like motifs, and irregular swirling patterns. In post-revolutionary France, the shifting culture led to chandeliers that incorporated clean lines and classical proportions, inspired by the aesthetic of ancient Greece and Rome, and adorned with mythological creatures. Neoclassical style was much more restrained than the frivolously decadent Baroque and Rococo styles, and this fashion swept across Europe during the late 18^th and early 19^th
• England followed its own chandelier trajectory. In the early 1700s, advancements in glass technology led to the development of all-glass chandeliers, in contrast to the French metal frames decorated with crystals. “Flint glass” was patented by glass merchant George Ravenscroft in 1676, and the high percentage of lead oxide in this glass improved its clarity and made it easier to cut. Following the designs of the brass ball-stem chandeliers of the Dutch, English chandeliers were the highest-quality glass chandeliers of their day. In the 18^th century, designers began adding more cuts to the glass for more elaborate sparkle, and fused silver painting was developed and placed inside the glass stem, acting as a mirror and creating the appearance of solid glass. In the late 18^th century, the Glass Excise Act caused the migration of glassmakers to Ireland, where the Waterford Glass House was established and rose to prominence. Interestingly, the Glass Excise Act inadvertently caused an innovation that resulted in one of the most popular chandelier styles of all time. To save money, manufacturers stopped using glass-arm chandeliers in favour of crystal drops made from broken glass pieces, strung together into a “tent” shape made of multiple swags. At the bottom of the frame, additional chains of drops formed a “bag” and the hundreds of drops used in these “tent and bag” fixtures almost completely obscured the metal frame. These chandeliers gained a following across Europe, particularly in France, and began to be known as English Regency or French First Empire style. In 1835, the Glass Excise Act was repealed, and luxurious chandeliers became an important part of the English glass trade.
• Italian chandeliers evolved near Venice, on the small island of Murano. Murano became the only location for glassmaking in the Venetian Republic in 1291, in an attempt to prevent fires and keep the secrets of glass production safe from foreign competition. This measure was not very effective, as many glassmakers emigrated from Murano to the rest of Europe. Unlike other types of glass, Murano glass is melted and moulded, rather than cut, giving it a softer appearance and allowing for intricate designs. Millefiori (multi-coloured glass) and lattimo (milk glass) are two distinctive types of Murano glass. Murano chandeliers, however, were not produced until the 18^th Consisting of a central metal axis from which came many arms decorated with colourful or transparent flowers, leaves, fruits, and moulded crystals, this new style was called ciocche, which means “bouquet of flowers”. These chandeliers were large, colourful, and intricate. While foreign competition and the dissolution of the Venetian Republic caused glass production in Murano to decline at the end of the 18^th century, this decline was reversed in the centuries following and today, there is a high demand for Murano glass chandeliers.
• Today, chandeliers are experiencing a revival in interest. While there was a decline in popularity with the rise of minimalism, traditional chandeliers are increasingly used to create a beautiful contrast in contemporary homes.

Find Your Chandelier at International Chandeliers

If you are looking for the perfect chandelier for your home, shop for unique vintage, mid-century modern, and antique chandeliers with International Chandeliers. We take great pride in restoring chandeliers, doing the meticulous work of bringing them back to their original glory before completely rewiring them so that they will be ready for a new home. Browse our selection of chandeliers, or contact us for any of our professional services, from chandelier cleaning and restoration to installation, removal, and storage.

Trained to the highest standards, our team members are experts in on-site, ultrasonic cleaning, which is the benchmark for all chandelier cleaning. Further, we are covered by comprehensive insurance, for your peace of mind. Having worked in some of the world’s foremost hotels, Royal Palaces, and some of the finest private residences, we are well-equipped to handle any chandelier service you may need. To learn more about our services and how we can help you, call 020 7101 6761 or contact us through our website.