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Tiara of Lights: The History of Chandeliers
by James Hunt
Chandeliers have always seemed synonymous with elegance, wealth,
and beauty. Immortalized by Hollywood, one might believe that
no grand house was complete, unless it had a lavish cut-crystal
chandelier hanging in the formal dining room. Surprisingly, the
true history of the chandelier dates back to a time long before
beautiful southern belles and movie stars. In fact, the first
chandeliers were quite humble, when compared to their modern counterparts.
The word 'chandelier' comes from the French word
'chandelle,' meaning candle, and the earliest forms of these lights
simply consisted of a wooden cross, designed with a small spike
at each end. Candles, made of animal fat in those days, were attached
to each of these wooden spikes and the chandelier was then supported
from the ceiling. Since there was no electricity, the only alternatives
were a small sputtering tallow that could be carried about, wall
sconces which only illuminated small sections of rooms, or the
glow of a fireplace. The chandelier, therefore, offered a better
form of lighting and was commonly used in places such as medieval
churches and abbeys during the 15th century.
The first chandeliers that were designed for private
use, were only found in the homes of the very wealthy or powerful.
The humble farmer or common tradesman had little use for such
forms of lighting, most planning their days around the rising
and setting of the sun. Modest homes were often poorly constructed
and tiny, the concept of a chandelier being little more than a
fire hazard to such domiciles.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the chandelier
began to find its way into the homes of more prosperous merchants
and, as housing quality began to improve, finally into the homes
of the working class. While wealthier homes boasted ornately-crafted
chandeliers of brass, the more common households used wood, wrought
iron, and tin sheet for their chandeliers. Additionally, the chandelier
began to evolve as artisans began to experiment with light refraction,
using mirrors, polished brass plates and quartz crystals.
In 1676, an English glassmaker, George Ravenscroft,
introduced leaded glass to the world of lighting. Softer to work
with and better able to refract light, this soon became the preferred
material for chandeliers. By the late 1800's, a better method
of cutting the leaded glass would be perfected by Daniel Swarovsky,
of Austria. This would mark a turning point for the chandelier,
where it would cease to simply be functional, but would now become
a work of art.
The invention of electric lighting and better methods
of manufacturing have only served to help the chandelier survive
throughout the ages. Modern creators have taken this art form
to new levels, creating chandeliers beyond one's wildest imaginations;
glass slippers, martini glasses, chandeliers that look like thousands
of glowing flower blossoms or even u.f.o.s, it would seem that
the possibilities are endless. Ranging in price from hundreds
to thousands of dollars, there is a chandelier for every home
and, seemingly, every décor theme imaginable. Having outlived
the test of time, it appears to be a lighting form that is bound
to remain, and keep surprising us, far into the future.
About the Author
James Hunt has spent 15 years as a professional writer and researcher
covering stories that cover a whole spectrum of interest. Read
more at www.chandeliers-central.info
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