Chandeliers, A Joy in Lights

A chandelier is a decorative light that has at least two arms that hold lights. It is mounted into ceilings. Though they come in different sizes, they look best when mounted into high ceilings. It has bulbs/candles for the illumination, shades, and collars, canopies, and chains for its suspension from the ceiling.  Bobeches are used to collect candle drippings.

The first is a candle chandelier used in medieval places for assemblies. The people used a wood in the form of a cross with a number of spikes t secure the candles. Being unable to get enough light, they suspended it on the ceiling. In the 15th century, ring and crown designs became popular as décor. They then were usually found in palaces, homes of merchant class, and nobilities. That time, the cost of illumination during the night was high, and it made the ceiling-mounted light a symbol of status and luxury. In the 18th century, neoclassical and glass chandeliers became its new form.

It was the 19th century when chandeliers were used with gas. Later that century, as electricity was discovered and its distribution became wider, the gasolier became more and more incompetent.

The largest of its kind is made of Bohemian crystal, which is from Queen Victoria.

Its evolution became more complex and elaborate. Below are some of the styles of chandeliers.

• Art Nouveau


• French Empire


• Contemporary


• French Candle


• Neo-Baroque


• Crystal


• Beaded and Shell


• Metal


• Murano Glass


• Mission


• Antler


• Candle