Chronicles of modern chandeliers: The fable of an Ugly Duckling

The past of chandeliers goes an extraordinarily slow way back when the former people used these lighting fixtures to lighten up the halls of big and grand mansions that arranged exclusive and expensive evening parties. Before, these illumination were made of two wooden logs nailed as one to form a cross, wherein the candles were put across the flat wooden surface. Chains made from iron are afterward mounted at the middle from which the other end of the chain will be mounted adjacent to the ceiling. Primitive as it is compared to what modern chandeliers look like now, these “chandelbrum” as it was called then were only displayed in houses for the wealthy and the dignified individuals.

Today though, modern chandeliers do not choose their homes. As long as one could have adequate area to hold these illumination, and ample money to acquire chandeliers of their own taste, everybody could have this glamorous and excellent lighting on their houses. However, chandeliers actually have plenty of stories to tell and have lots of enduring tales to share.

One of these is the history of how from a primitive-looking wooden furniture these chandeliers used to be has now turned into one of the crowning masterpieces in dignified homes and capacious halls. The name chandelier can be traced back to the Latin etymology of “candela” meaning candles. The earliest photos of these mounted fixtures were that of a wooden cross with spikes at all ends from were candles were placed. Not essentially a very pleasing-looking provider of light but it served as capable illuminations specially to medieval churches and convents.

The height of the chandeliers was on the 17th century. On the other hand, prior of that time chandeliers have already taken a more chic appearance. Crystals were used to bear the candles, and brass or iron has been used instead of the wood. One of the popular finds of 15th century chandeliers was that in that Jewish synagogue in Mattanchery. It was assumed to be done by Belgian craftsmen and have had Chinese tiles. But it was due to the famed glass cutter Josef Palme who started a workshop school in 1724 that created big quantities of chandeliers. These crystal chandeliers became a much-sought decorating piece in the entire of Europe, but only for the nobles and the well-to-do. Indeed, it became a symbol of prestige and wealth.

In the 17th and 18th century, chandeliers were made of rare crystals that were valuable and expensive. Also, these rock crystals, as they are called are tough and are vexing to cut. The polished products are not also refractive and translucent. George Ravenscroft in 1676 discovered that if lead oxide is added with the rock crystals, it became more ductile and malleable. That’s why, these crystalline glass as they became popularized, gave way for a crystalline substance that can refract more light and made chandeliers cheaper.

In the 19th century to the 20th century, people also witnessed the invention of “gasolier”, a combination of gas and a chandelier to the electricity powered modern chandeliers we now have at present. Indeed, chandeliers are one of the most lasting and classic decorative pieces human beings has invented and still continues to illuminate houses of all shapes and styles.

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Chandeliers enhance the appearance of your living or dining rooms. Its bright illumination provides the required amount of light and at the same time exude elegance and style. Or you may want to try chandelier.

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