But it was not always this way, there was a time when they were very simple pieces of fixtures that consisted of two pieces of wood that were nailed together to form a cross-shaped object and on the tips of the cross candles were lit and fixed after that it was hoisted and attached to the ceiling using a rope or a chain This was first basic design of the chandelier which goes back as far as the medieval times. This basic design worked well and stayed largely unchanged for a few hundred years until around the end of the 14th century. Around this time the designs went from being simple to being more complex and ornate. Metals such as bronze, brass, silver and even gold started slowly replace wood.
With this kind of change, it goes without saying chandeliers became more costly and it was mostly only the nobility that could afford them. Not only that, to illuminate such a contraption was not cheap because it took many candles or in some cases oil lamps to get the necessary illumination. So needless to say owning something like a metal chandelier became a status symbol. This trend we see even to this day. One of the first styles that became fashionable were chandeliers that had long curved “arms” that protruded out and then upwards and on top of the arm a candle or nowadays a light was fixed.
This style came into fashion during the 18th century and became more and more common with the growing merchant class. During this time artisans figured out a way to make a cheaper form of glass known as lead glass and these were attached to the chandeliers. The refractive quality of glass made it very popular and eventually they became known as crystal chandeliers. This light scattering property of glass took it to a whole new level of beauty and popularity. In the 19th century, the chandelier took yet another transformation with the introduction of gas powered lights, these fixtures were called “gasolier” which is clearly a shortened version of the gas chandelier, and they eventually replaced candle chandeliers.
By the late 1800’s electricity and light bulbs became a reality and people started to get reliable amounts of it in their homes. With this, gas chandeliers slowly became obsolete and were replaced by light bulbs, eventually becoming the standard design feature. Even though chandeliers with electric lights became standard, people will still buy antique chandeliers that have fixtures on them for using candles. Some people, even today prefer the elegance of a candle chandelier. There is something about the gentle light of candles that makes it very attractive.
Crystal Chandeliers
Earlier, crystal chandeliers were mentioned, to go back to that style, there are several different styles of crystal chandeliers such as Venetian and Bohemian chandeliers. Venetian chandeliers are also known as Italian glass chandeliers. This type will contain a Venetian glass which is made on the isle of Murano in Italy. This type of glass is made from blown glass which is done by master craftsmen of that area when buying this type one should be careful as there are many counterfeit models that are available out there. A real Venetian chandelier is considered to be rare and not to mention costly.
Bohemian crystal chandeliers are as the name implies made from Bohemian crystal. Bohemian crystal has been around as far back as the 13th century and is considered to be the best quality crystal. Bohemia belongs to the area known today as the Czech Republic and the crystal making a tradition are deep rooted in this culture. However, as in the case of Venetian glass, there is a lot of low-quality fake crystal out there which means it is a good idea to do research before buying anything. Fine quality Bohemian crystal especially colored crystal will make any connoisseur of chandeliers go weak in the knees. Some other examples of high-quality crystal chandeliers would be Tiffany chandeliers and Schonbek Chandeliers. Schonbek Crystal chandeliers are considered to be some of the most elegant. The company that makes them has been around for over a hundred years.
Deciding on One
Before deciding to buy a chandelier of any kind one must keep in mind a few things. After all, this will be something that will be prominent in your house, something that people will look at every time they go inside one's house. The important things to keep in mind are what kind of style will best fit one's home, what price range to look at and finally being prepared to install it when it is bought.
Once you have decided where the fixture will be placed, the next step is to decide what kind of mood you are going for. Deciding on the mood is a big part of choosing what type of chandelier one wants to install. An example of that would be a wrought iron style will not be installed where a Venetian would be installed. The idea here is that styles are generally chosen according to the surrounding. If you had a log cabin, then installing an ultra fancy Tiffany chandelier would be a waste. So basically one would choose a chandelier that would be more in tune with the room and also the furniture.
There are basically three different chandelier designs and styles on the market today; they are neo-classical style, regency style, and the Dutch-Flemish style. The neo-classical style will have several delicate arms and spirals. It will also have many beads and strings. Regency style will basically have a canopy like a shape. The stem will generally be hidden and sometimes the beads of the crystal will arrange in the way to give it a waterfall-like an effect. This type can be very fancy and generally are the most expensive. The Dutch – Flemish style will usually be made out of brass with arms that curve down around a ball. This type is generally a more simple style and less expensive compared to the Regency and neo-classical models.
After it has been decided as to what style to go for, one has to consider the shade and lighting of the chandelier. Choosing the right shade is very important, as it will point the light in the direction that needs to be done. It is also put for aesthetic purposes, the shade can give it that extra something and if you already have an old one and want to make it look better, it may only require some new nice looking shades. Lighting implies whether candles or bulbs are used. Both have their obvious advantages and disadvantages. Some folks like candle light to help set the mood.
Once you have decided on all these and thought it through the next thing to consider is the price. With the help of the internet, it is not difficult to find a good bargain on prices. You will also be able to look at pictures which will make it a lot easier to decide. But the best way is to go to a store that has a good variety in stock. There is nothing like looking at the real thing in front of you when you are trying to decide the style and mood, especially if you are going to be spending a lot of money.
When it is finally bought the next thing to do is get the necessary hardware to install it, especially if it is going to be a do-it-yourself venture. For that, chandelier designs and styles may be a good idea to make a materials list. For installation, the accessories that are needed are electrician’s pliers, adjustable wrench, Phillips screwdrivers, wire strippers, hacksaw, U-bolt and a ladder. But if it is possible it is advisable to get a certified electrician to do the installation it's not worth the risk to do it yourself.
Images credit: delmarfans
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