ICONIC CHANDELIERS THAT MADE HISTORY

Lighting is an essential aspect in interior design, and choosing a chandelier as a lighting solution emphasizes the elegant and luxurious character of any interior. Did you know that the oldest chandeliers in the world date back to antiquity? An example is the chandelier discovered in the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum. This chandelier is believed to have been made in the 1st century AD. and is now on display in the National Archaeological Museum in Naples, Italy. However, there are numerous chandelier designs that are hundreds of years old and have become iconic for interior design around the world.

Azelin chandelier

The Azelin chandelier is the oldest chandelier in the world. It is a wheel chandelier in Romanesque style designed for Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. It is made of gilded copper and gold sheet, and the style is very minimalistic, unlike the designs that succeeded it. It is named after its donor, Bishop Azelin, although further research has found that his predecessor, Thietmar, was more likely the owner of the candelabra, so it is also called the Thietmar chandelier.

Ormolu chandelier from Baroque era

This chandelier is attributed to Andre-Charles Boulle, perhaps one of the world’s greatest furniture designers. Although he is mostly known for his furniture, he also designed a number of chandeliers in the 17th century. His chandeliers are known for their exquisite ornamentation with ormolu – gilded brass or bronze used for decorative purposes. This eight-arm chandelier emits a bright yellow light thanks to the combination of the gilding effect with candlelight.

Givenchy Royal Hanovra chandelier

This eight-arm solid silver chandelier was commissioned by King George II of England for one of his German palaces. Designed by William Kent in 1736, the chandelier remained in the royal family for over 200 years until it was sold at auction in 2011 for £6 million, making it the most expensive item of its kind in the world.

„Stupendous” royal chandelier

This chandelier was installed in the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, England. It is a Chinese-inspired piece, over 13 meters high, suspended from a large silver dragon mounted on the ceiling. The lights in the glass look like flames coming from the dragon. John George Bishop used the word “stupendous” to describe the chandelier, hence its name.

Venetian chandelier in Murano glass

The glass craftsmen of the island of Murano, famous for their work since the Middle Ages, have been the creators of very special chandeliers since the 18th century. First of all, they do not use crystals, but made chandeliers entirely from colored glass, known as “millefiori” (meaning multicolored). Strongly influenced by the Rococo period, Murano chandeliers are refined and decorated with floral motifs.

Opéra Garnier chandelier

The famous scene in “Phantom of the Opera” with the chandelier coming off the ceiling is actually based on a real incident involving the chandelier inside the Opéra Garnier in Paris. When it was originally installed in the Palais Garnier, the chandelier fell due to its extreme weight – seven tons of bronze and crystal – and killed a worker. Garnier reinstalled the chandelier despite criticism that it was dangerous or that it blocked the view from the upper level.

Baccarat chrystal chandelier

Founded in 1764 and named after the French village in which it was located, the Baccarat company has become a world-renowned manufacturer of crystal glasses and lighting fixtures. Baccarat chandeliers are created from French crystal with a high degree of transparency. From the beginning to the present, all Baccarat products are handcrafted, making each item unique.

​Osler chandelier

This English-style decorated chandelier by F&C Osler can be found in Istanbul’s Dolmabahçe Palace. At that time, the chandelier was the largest in the world. Dolmabahçe Palace is a veritable gallery of antique chandeliers, including three others designed by Osler, but of all, this 750-light bohemian work of art is certainly a showpiece.

Bohemian glass chandelier

The beginnings of crystal chandelier production in Bohemia date back to the 1700s. The oldest Czech product was the chandelier from Favorite Chateau in Baden Baden. Especially in the 17th and 18th centuries, these chandeliers attracted the attention and interest of French kings and were installed in castles such as Fontainebleau and Versailles. Czech crystal chandeliers can be found in the palaces of the French King Louis XV, Maria Theresa (Empress of Austria) and Elizabeth of Russia. A set of three Bohemian glass chandeliers was also commissioned by US President Theodore Roosevelt for the East Wing of the White House.

Seemingly in contrast to the aesthetics of a modern home, a chandelier is still today a symbol of elegance and wealth, while providing a warm and welcoming feeling that no other lighting fixture can give a room. Due to the reflection and refractoriness of the crystal and the glass in the composition, a chandelier offers a high level of brightness. In addition, today, chandeliers are available in a wider variety of designs and materials, so with the help of an interior designer, you can identify the chandelier that perfectly fits the style of the room.