Chandelier

A Chandelier is a type of light fitting. Designed to catch and refract the light to illuminate larger spaces, they came to be very ornate featuring carved crystal and glass and could hold tens if not hundreds of candles.

The word derives from the Latin ‘candela’ meaning candle. The earliest examples were used by the wealthy in medieval times and could be moved from room to room.

As glassmaking technology improved in the 18th century, the Bohemian and Venetian glassmakers became master chandelier makers. The Bohemians managed to produce spectacular light refraction through their carving of facets and bevels of crystal prisms. To respond to this new fashion, the glassmakers of Murano came up with their own unique designs more suited to their soda glass which could not be faceted. These comprised swirls of flowers, leaves and fruits that could make use of the famous Murano coloured glass and these became known as ‘ciocca’ – literally bouquet of flowers. They were light due to the soda glass and also the ability to use blown ‘hollow’ elements. As a result they could be made to be very large and were popular for lighting rooms in important palaces and theatres.

As gas and subsequently electric lighting were invented, many chandeliers were converted.

The world’s largest Bohemian crystal chandelier, is located in the Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. A gift from Queen Victoria, it weighs 4.5 tons with 750 lamps.