Chandelier

A chandelier (including chandelier ) is a lighting element that usually hangs from the ceiling and through the use of multiple light sources and - often - elements for light refraction (usually made of metal, precious stone, glass or plastic ) has a gleaming, sophisticated look with an unusual play of light produced.

Chandeliers are often used for representation purposes highlighted in halls, but also in demanding households.

History

Tire crown

One of the first known chandelier is a 16 -burner oil lamp made ​​of bronze from the 5th century BC, which was found in Camucia at Cortona. This " hanging basket " but is more reminiscent of an ornate pool, which is assembled with a shaft at the ceiling. To the water's edge oil lamps are arranged circular. This basin shape is likely to have lost their filling in the middle over time, so it became a tire on chains. Coptic lamp crowns from the 5th century AD, already show the actual " crown molding " by a wide tire that is held by three chains and protruding from the candle arms like the teeth of a crown.

The spread of Christianity in Europe, and not least the efforts of Charlemagne to revive the ancient heritage, which ultimately led to the fact that the Coptic traffic light crown molding also found its way into European churches and reception rooms as a chandelier. Some of the big ring crowns from the 12th century are still preserved.

Stem candlesticks

Tire crowns were reserved for churches and large representative halls, used for the private sector is rather simple candles or oil lights or simple cross arms made ​​of wood, which were held by chains or a simple straight forged shank. This socket shape was then further developed in the Gothic style and it created elaborate brass candlesticks, which were further developed until the early 19th century. Often decorated this highly polished, shiny gold candlestick with reflectors and draped it with crystal or glass items.

Most chandelier in Lutheran churches of the early modern period are foundations, either by individuals or by corporations. In general, the financing of the candles were regulated in such foundations. Individuals donated a capital sum of the interest on which the candle should be paid to " forever "; Corporations pledged to finance the candles out of their current income. The donated by individuals chandelier hung mostly originally on the graves of the founders.

Crystal Chandelier

Developments in glassmaking in the 18th century allowed the cheaper production of lead crystal, which meant that the refraction of the crystal quickly a popular addition to the chandeliers was.

Famous Chandelier

One of the largest chandeliers in the world is located in the council meeting hall of the Vienna City Hall. The local chandelier has a weight of 3,200 kg and a diameter of about five meters. It was originally built for the 1878 Universal Exhibition in Paris, and then suspended in the Vienna City Hall. In order to change the individual light bulbs easier to set a maintenance corridor of bulletproof glass plates was subsequently inside the chandelier installed. The chandelier was designed by Friedrich von Schmidt and from kuk Purveyor to the bronze and silver manufacturer Dziedzinski & Hanuschplatz made ​​.

The chandelier in the Muayede Salonu the Dolmabahçe seraglio with its 4.5 tons and 750 lamps of the largest lead crystal Baccarat chandelier in the world. He was a gift from Queen Victoria for the builder of the seraglio Sultan Abdülmecid I

Manufacturer

Among the most famous manufacturers in Austria - Hungary include E. Bakalowits ' sons, J. & L. Lobmeyr, Josh. Tooth & Co. (now part of Lobmeyr ), Carl Oswald & Co., Zeisser, Habiger & Comp. and Dziedzinski & Hanuschplatz. These companies endowed from the imperial palaces and residences as well as many public and private buildings. Bakalowits, Lobmeyr and Oswald were to k.u.k. Appointed purveyor to the court. The company until after the Second World War intensified in Luster business operated, for example D. Swarovski.

In Bohemia, developed in the 19th century, a crystal glass industry, far beyond the borders of the former imperial Monarchy was known. The Bohemian manufacturers supplied the glass for the chandeliers manufacturers. Among the most famous manufacturers of glass chandeliers included Moser and the cottage of Gottlob Kralik.

A prominent French manufacturer is baccarat.

Chandelier Napoleon III. in the Louvre, Paris

Chandelier in the theater Gera

Crystal chandelier in a hotel in Sousse, Tunisia