Dazzling Chandeliers

A curated collection from the Salar Jung Museum,Hyderabad, India (1800-1999)

Chandelier (c. 1825) by Attributed to Perry & CompanyThe Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

What is a Chandelier?

A chandelier may be defined as an ornamental lighting device/fixture that is suspended from the ceiling and typically adorned with branches. The word chandelier was adopted from the French word ‘chandelle’ meaning ‘candles’ in the year 1736 AD.

Hanging Lamp with a Hand Holding a Cross Hanging Lamp with a Hand Holding a Cross (made 500–700, restored and possibly reconfigured 1900s)The Metropolitan Museum of Art

A work of Art

Chandelier making requires skilled craftsmanship including metalwork, glassmaking and crystal cutting and uses expensive materials such as crystal, gold and silver with intricate designs and ornate details.  Custom made and limited edition chandelier makes them an exclusive possession

The soft and ambient lighting radiated by them created a sophisticated environment transforming their status from a simple light fixture to a piece of art.

Chandelier Chandelier (ca. 1710–15) by John Gumley|James MooreThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

Anatomy of a Chandelier

A chandelier consists of several components which may be crafted in many designs, patterns and variations. 

Some basic components are - Ceiling fixture (part attached to the ceiling), Down rod (rod connecting chandelier body to ceiling), Body (Main structure of the chandelier)...

One of Twenty-Three Sheets of Drawings of Glassware (Mirrors, Chandeliers, Goblets, etc.) (1850–80) by Compagnia di Venezia & MuranoThe Metropolitan Museum of Art

Anatomy of a Chandelier

...Arms (Curved elements extended from the body), Light Sources (Candles, LED), Bobeches (Small containers holding the light source), Finial (Decorative piece at the bottom) and Canopy (Cover for ceiling fixture and electric component).

[Interior of Hagia Sophia] (about 1870) by Pascal SébahThe J. Paul Getty Museum

Origin of Chandeliers

Chandeliers have been around for more than 5000 years. Historically they originated in royal palaces and estates where they were a symbol of wealth and status. 

Earliest known predecessors of chandeliers were clay vessels with multiple spouts in Mesopotamia (3000 BC). 

Egypt Series (1940-07) by Margaret Bourke-WhiteLIFE Photo Collection

Origin of Chandeliers

Ancient Greeks and Romans employed bronze and marble fixtures with multiple arms holding candles to light public spaces and temples (500 BC - 500AD). During the 9th century Medieval Europe, chandeliers became prominently being used in churches, castles & palaces. 

From the 15th century onwards when Europe was evolving through the Renaissance, modern chandeliers with ornate work and multiple arms became widespread.

Chandelier (c. 1774) by attributed to William ParkerThe White House

Glass and Crystal Chandeliers

Crystal chandeliers appeared in the 17th century, Europe where crystal was first used in lighting fixtures. The term ‘crystal’ refers to high quality glass used in fixtures, exported from Bohemia. French glass makers were trying to emulate rock crystals with molded glass drops.

ChandelierOriginal Source: http://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/band/exb_ccc/BAND21860_chandelier_exb.html

Industrial Revolution and Electric Chandeliers

Invention of light bulbs in the 19th century revolutionized the lighting industry. Candle based chandeliers were replaced by electric ones. Electric chandeliers were more accessible and affordable, featuring more intricate designs and ornate details. 

By Ralph CraneLIFE Photo Collection

Chandeliers around the world

The Ceremonial Hall of the Dolmabahce Palace is home to the world’s largest Bohemian Chandelier. This exquisite piece of art was thought to be a gift from Queen Victoria of England. Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia displays over 1,000 chandeliers. 

Baccarat Crystal Museum in Baccarat, France showcases over 1,000 stunning
chandeliers, including some of the most exquisite and intricate pieces in the world.

India Politics (1946-05) by Margaret Bourke-WhiteLIFE Photo Collection

Chandeliers in India

Ornate chandeliers were introduced during the Mughal rule (16th - 18th century)with Islamic and Persian motifs. They adorned palaces, mosques, and mausoleums, like the Taj Mahal. Later during the colonial era European crystal and glass chandeliers were heavily imported. 

Dining Room, Faluknuma Palace (1888) by Lala Deen DayalThe J. Paul Getty Museum

European Chandeliers became a prized possession among Nizams

This photograph by Lala Deen Dayal depicts the dinning room at the Falaknuma Palace, owned by the Nizams of Hyderabad, India. It is studded with crystal chandeliers throughout. 

Chandeliers at Dewan DeodiSalar Jung Museum

The Salar Jung Museum collection

Collection of Chandeliers at the museum is astonishing. It features wide variety of materials and styles from Europe, India, Venice, Bohemia, England, and France. 

Cut Glass Chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Cut Glass Chandelier

Like a diamond in the sky! Largest glass chandelier in the Salar Jung Museum collection is displayed at the main entrance to the museum. It has twenty four branches and it belongs to England, dated 19th century.

Pink coloured cut glass Chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Pink Colored Cut-Glass Chandelier

Pink colored cut glass chandelier with golden borders branched with eighteen light shades from Venice, dated 19th century. Glassmaking was a prized craft in Venice. Venetian glass makers in the 16th century experimented with colored glass, creating vibrant hues.  

Colors are made by adding metal oxides to molten glass. Such exquisitely crafted elaborate chandeliers adorned the houses of the aristocrats.

Green coloured glass chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Green Colored Glass Chandelier

Green colored cut glass chandelier with golden borders branched with eight light shades from Venice, dated 19th century. This chandelier is handmade, with skilled artisans blowing, cutting, and assembling the intricate glass pieces.

Blue colored glass Chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Blue Colored Glass Chandelier

Blue colored glass chandelier branched with eight light shades from Venice dated 19th century. To this day, Venetian colored glass chandeliers remain a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship, evoking the beauty and romance of Venice.

Kersosene Lamp Chandelier (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum

Kersosene Lamp Chandelier

One of kind, unique porcelain chandelier from France, dated 20th century. The chandelier is branched with three light shades. Royal blue porcelain is hand painted with roman figures in black and white ink.

Wooden Chandelier with Wedgewood plaques (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Wooden Chandelier with Wedgewood Plaques

Wooden chandelier with four light globes from England, dated 19 th century. Three green Wedgewood plaques are fixed inside oval panels on the chandelier.

Wooden Chandelier with Wedgewood Plaques

Wedgwood is a renowned English pottery company that has been producing high-quality ceramics for over 250 years. While Wedgwood is not typically associated with chandeliers, they have produced some stunning lighting pieces throughout their history.

German Silver Chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

German Silver Chandelier

German Silver chandelier with twelve glass shades from England, dated 19th century. German silver, also known as nickel silver is an alloy made from a combination of copper, nickel, and zinc. Its strong, corrosion-resistant, and has a silver-white appearance. 

White, Turquoise and Blue colored glass chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

White, Turquoise, and Blue Colored Glass Chandelier

Vibrantly hued chandelier with twelve branched candle lights from England, dated 19th century.

Basket Design Chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Basket Design Chandelier

A basket design chandelier from England, 19th century. The 'basket' typically contains a series of lights, which can be in the form of candles, pendant lights, or other types of lighting elements or glass tassels.

Brass Chandelier (1800/1899)Salar Jung Museum

Brass Chandelier

Exotic brass chandelier with nine branched arms from England, dated 19th century. Mythical creatures with angelic wings rests on the main body of the chandelier. 

Structure of an empire chandelier (1900/1999)Salar Jung Museum

Structure of an Empire Chandelier

Brass Chandelier structure with 244 branched arms. It belongs to England, dated 20th century. This structure gives an impression of an upturned  which is why the British also called it a Regency balloon chandelier. 

Credits: Story

Text and Curation: Pallavi Baheti 
Photography: M. Krishnamurthy and Bahadur Ali
Editing of images - K. Manohar Lal and Vinod Kumar
Research Assistance: Dinesh Singh and E. Rajesh
Special thanks: Shri Ashish Goyal, IIS, Director,  Salar Jung Museum, 
                            Dr. G. Kusum, Curator, Salar Jung Museum,  
                            Soma Ghosh, Librarian, Salar Jung Museum,  Hyderabad, India


References-

1) Valtaitė-Gagač, A., 2019. Origin, types, and functioning of chandeliers with
serpent arms: from the Netherlands to Lithuania. Art History &
Criticism, 15(1), pp.5-20.
2) Campbell, G. ,The Grove Encyclopaedia of Decorative Arts, OUP USA, 2006
3) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandelier
4) Shtrum, B. and Lagarde, O., THE CHANDELIERS OF THE CHÂTEAU DE
VERSAILLES: RESEARCH, CONSERVATION AND RE-
ELECTRIFICATION.
5) Hall Light & Co., Glass Chandeliers, Book 5 (Catalogue)
6) https://youtu.be/FEo0qAWW63I?si=-R26oEZTi830UD2f


Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

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