Getty Museum

Chandelier

Date

about 1700

Medium

Glass and quartz crystal; gilt bronze

Culture

French

Department

Decorative Arts

Institution

Getty Museum

Early chandeliers such as this one were constructed with a central shaft made of gilt wood or bronze. The frame was then decorated with glass beads strung into garlands or elaborate shapes such as flowers and crowns. The glass or rock crystal drops reflected the light produced by the flickering candles. This small model would probably have hung in a private study or bedroom rather than a large public salon.

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