History of Chandeliers

History of Chandeliers

Chandeliers have been around a lot longer than many people think; it can be argued that they have been around for 5000 years originating in Egypt. There is speculation that the first chandelier stems from the butter lamps that were used during Pharaoh’s time to light up his tomb. What doesn’t need any speculation however is that original chandeliers are very humble in comparison to what they are now. The word chandelier originates from the French “chandelle” which translates as candle holder which is literally what they were.


At the time, chandeliers were so important because they provided a good source of light as there was no electricity and the only other sources of light were small tallows which they carried around, wall sconces which only lit up a small section of a room and fireplaces. During this period, in the 14th century, the design of chandeliers was very simple – a wooden cross with a spike at each end holding a candle. A chandelier is a symbol of wealth and class, especially at this time because only the wealthy could afford to have and maintain a chandelier. Other than that, chandeliers were only really seen in churches.


The 16th and 17th century was when it began to become more common seeing chandeliers in the homes of the prosperous. The very wealthy homes has chandeliers made from brass which looked and cost more expensive, those with less wealth has chandeliers made from wood, wrought iron or tin sheets. Today however, they can be manufactured from a variety of different materials such as, wood, glass, iron, brass, copper, plastic, ceramics, steel, stainless steel, wrought iron, deer antlers and many more!


Glass became a major material of what chandeliers were made from; it is believed that glass has been around for thousands of years, and that for a similar amount of time it has also been used in chandeliers. The most noticeable date is 1676 when glass was properly introduced into chandeliers.


Chandeliers have been adapted over the years to suit the different advances in technology as they have developed and progressed. From butter lamps to candles, oil to electricity, and you can even find solar energy or fluorescent material in some chandeliers. The materials that made them have also advanced as did their reception by potential buyers, they became a symbol of art and status measured by design, presence and intricacy.


The introduction of gas to chandeliers came in the 18th century, at this time many chandeliers were converted so that they use gas instead of candles which happened until the introduction of electricity where the chandeliers were then converted to work with electricity. The way that chandeliers have been regularly updated to keep with the changing times has helped extend the life of chandeliers and ultimately making them timeless.


The history of chandeliers is a long one, and they have been around for much longer than many realise but they are a part of our history, and undoubtedly a part of our future as well. They advance and progress with the times. Their looks have also changed over the years, with the introduction of Drop Crystal Chandeliers being the pinnacle moment in the 18th century when the design was undoubtedly changed for the better – we have Louis XIV to thank for that. The perception of chandeliers has changed as they have grown in extravagance, size and their purpose shifted to being more for aesthetic purposes rather than for functionality.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, chandeliers have come a long way from branched animal fat candle holders to a symbol of social stature and now an elegant

light fixture

Brief background history of chandeliers

Chandeliers first appeared as early as the 15th century; back then, popularly termed polycandelons. Quite similar to the Byzantine’s 5th-6th centuries art, polycandelon took the form of a wooden cross or flat metal discs with hanging extensions where the candles would sit. Soon after, these pioneering chandelier prototypes were widespread in churches before footing their presence in castles and royal palaces.

Towards the end of the 15th century, chandelier artisans had taken up new production techniques and utilized different materials to forge improved and elaborate chandelier designs. Chandeliers symbolized triumph, power, luxury, and class, as most wealthy and noble residences adopted them as decorative statement pieces rather than functional lighting fixtures. It is safe to say that the introduction of complex gold-gilded elements and bold shapes did a flip on the evolution of chandeliers.

Developments of chandeliers from the 16th- 19th centuries

The evolution of chandeliers didn’t stop there. By the 16th century, the structures had grown famous and appeared in working-class homes. However, even with their exclusivity dying down, chandeliers still maintained a significant gap between social classes. More elaborate and

ornate designs

kept cropping up across Europe, stratifying the middle-class families from the nobility- the working-class household conformed to wrought iron, wood, and tin chandeliers. In contrast, the bourgeois adopted rock crystal chandeliers hung from gilt silver metal structures. Since then, significant improvements have hallmarked the history of chandeliers; here is a breakdown.

17th-18th century chandeliers

By the 17th century, chandelier designs were more elaborate as artisans explored different variations and raw materials. Finally, the 18th century brought a significant shift from transparent rock crystal chandeliers to blown glass that came in unique colors. Gio Ponti, the Italian brains behind this revolution, was an exceptional architect/designer working from the Venetian Island of Murano. He manufactured Venetian glass, making them a relatively cheaper chandelier alternative than

rock crystal

. Not only was the Venetian glass affordable, but it was also more brilliant, transparent, and soft, making it easier to shape- this marked the golden age of the chandelier.

Chandeliers in the 19th century

Come the 19th century, chandeliers were widespread, with notable names like Daniel Swarovski producing cut stones for ornate crystal chandeliers. However, while the revolution was at its peak, house fires grew rampant, motivating innovators to develop a safer option. In the 19th century, gas was introduced as the primary source of artificial light. Candle chandeliers were then quickly replaced by gasoliers encased in glass.

Chandeliers in the 20th century

The final half of the 19th century was marked by electricity’s discovery, translating into the mass production of light bulbs and electric chandeliers. At this phase, society was more concerned with optimal lighting; thus, most households ditched the bulky crystal elements for affordable and more straightforward chandeliers.

Conclusion

Modern-day chandeliers are revolutionary, most taking a variety of forms and designs. There have been several changes throughout the long history of chandeliers, but one constant factor- optimization. For centuries, society has looked to improve and upgrade the functionality of chandeliers right from the polycandelon age. Today, chandeliers come in LED options that are more sustainable and affordable. With a vast range of designs to choose from, we’re looking at an impressive selection of chandeliers to match any home theme, taste, and preference. So, go ahead and give your space that elegant touch it deserves with LED chandeliers.