Chandeliers are both luxurious and extravagant, adding a touch of elegance to a room. They look best in a room where they can be admired by visitors with plenty of space to show off its true beauty. Here are some facts about chandeliers that will increase your knowledge on these beautiful lighting fixtures:
· 'Chandelier' appeared in the English language in the 14th Century.
· The earliest candle chandeliers date back to medieval times and were made from wood with spikes for the candles to sit in. The whole fixture was secured and hung via a rope or chain which was suspended from a hook.
· In the 15th century chandeliers became more complex and designs were based on rings or crowns. Night time lighting was costly and was symbolic of luxury and high status.
· Come the 18th century chandeliers became ornate with long curvy arms with candles common in many merchant class homes.
· The 19th century saw the production of branch ceiling fixtures. Many candle chandeliers were converted to gas chandeliers and from the 1890s with the development of electricity - fixtures wholly powered by electricity were the standard.
· One of the most famous chandeliers is the chandelier in the Opera Garnier which is crashed by the Phantom in the 1910 novel 'The Phantom of the Opera' by Gaston Leroux.
· The bobeche is the dish which the candle sits in; it is designed to catch any wax drips and is known also as the drip pan.
· A festoon is a set of glass drops or beads which drape down or across a glass chandelier.
· Venetian is a type of glass from the island of Murano in Venice, but this word is also used to describe a chandelier of Venetian style.
· Crystal chandeliers are a popular choice as they refract the light from the light bulbs in the centre of the chandelier, creating a rainbow of different colours. (This only happens with clear bulbs)
· Antique chandeliers can be heavier than normal chandeliers as they are made from brass.
· Chandelier installation should be completed by a professional to ensure it stays up for life, and reduces the risk of the fixture falling and causing an accident.
Chandeliers are a true thing of beauty and there are many to choose from; from small to large and black chrome to crystal. They make a difference from your usual modern table lamp so why not consider one for your home?
